Man Charged After Car Wash Vehicle Theft
Timothy Lee, 39, faces hijacking charges after police say he took a woman's SUV from a Bucktown car wash.
By Matthew Brooks ·
A Chicago man is charged with hijacking after police say he drove off in a woman's SUV while she vacuumed it at a Bucktown car wash. Timothy Lee, 39, faces counts of hijacking, attempted hijacking, unlawful vehicular invasion and resisting arrest.
The Chicago Police Department says Lee first tried to take a vehicle in the 2300 block of North Lister Avenue on Oct. 29. Scanner audio from that morning described the call as an unsuccessful child kidnapping attempt. Police allege Lee then went to the $5 Fullerton Express Car Wash, where video shows a woman vacuuming a white SUV and a man climbing into the driver's seat and pulling away.
Officers arrested Lee at 3:27 a.m. on Oct. 30, according to police documents. The stolen vehicle was parked in the 2300 block of North Bosworth Avenue with Lee asleep in the driver's seat. As officers walked up, he woke, started the engine and tried to shift into drive. An officer placed a foot on the brake and shut the vehicle off. The arrest report states Lee was taken into custody after a short struggle.
The Chicago Police Department provided the account, with additional details from prior Fox 32 reporting.
