Robber slashed victim, stole their car, got tracked down by city license plate readers: prosecutors

Antonio Tapia (Chicago Police Department)

CHICAGO — Prosecutors have charged a man with slashing a robbery victim and driving away with their car, only to be tracked down by Chicago cops, who located the stolen vehicle on Lake Shore Drive via the city’s license plate reader network.

Antonio Tapia, 30, is charged with armed robbery and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in connection with the holdup, which occurred in the 6200 block of North Sacramento.

Prosecutors said the victim, 33, was outside his home when Tapia struck up a conversation by asking for the time. It was 10:55 a.m. on the Fourth of July.

Tapia proceeded to shove a knife toward the victim while demanding his keys, officials said. Even though the victim was complying, Tapia slashed the man’s right hand and fingers, according to court filings.

He allegedly drove away with the man’s 2019 Kia Forte and, less than two hours later, a city license plate reader spotted the vehicle heading south on Lake Shore Drive at North Avenue.

Chicago cops stopped the car near Buckingham Fountain and arrested him. They said Tapia had the car keys and a large folding knife in his cargo pocket.

Judge Ankur Srivastava detained Tapia, calling the robbery “particularly violent and brazen.” 

Tapia has previous felony convictions for burglary, resisting police, and retail theft, according to court records. He also had a misdemeanor trespassing case pending when the carjacking occurred. Court records show he failed to appear in court on February 1, and Judge Aileen Bhandari ordered the clerk to send him a postcard reminder. When he failed to appear at the next court date in March, Judge Joseph Gump ordered the clerk to send another postcard. Finally, on April 22, Gump signed an arrest warrant, which was active at the time of the robbery.

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