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Chicago police form task force to combat carjackings

CHICAGO (AP) - The Chicago Police Department is leading a team of law enforcement agencies to combat the fastest growing crime in the city: carjackings.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson is announcing the formation of a team that will include members of his department, the FBI, the Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Illinois State Police and local and federal prosecutors.

Johnson won't say how many people will be assigned to the new unit or how it would address what has become a disturbing trend in the city.

Last year, there were nearly 1,000 carjackings compared to 663 in 2016. This year the numbers are continuing to rise. In January, there were 86 carjackings - a 19 percent increase over the same period last year.

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