Carjacker abandons infant on sidewalk — but Good Samaritan having a frustrating day ends up in the perfect spot to help

A real-life nightmare took place July 3 in Chicago when authorities said a 15-time convicted felon named Jeremy Ochoa carjacked an SUV, allegedly dragged the female motorist, and drove off with the victim's 7-month-old daughter still strapped inside the vehicle, CWB Chicago reported.

Jeremy Ochoa. Image source: Chicago Police Department

Police tracked the stolen 2011 GMC Acadia using license plate reader alerts and pings from a cell phone that had been left inside the vehicle, the outlet said, adding that cops eventually found the SUV several miles southeast of the scene of the carjacking. But the vehicle was unoccupied.

'I just kept praying.'

So where was the baby?

That same day, Earl Abernathy was sitting in traffic on his way to work, WBBM-TV said. Plus, he was dealing with non-operational air conditioning in his car as temperatures hit the 90s — so he was forced to keep his windows down, WBBM said.

Amid those frustrations, along with getting an earful of all the street noise amid Chicago's unforgiving summer heat, an unnerving sound caught Abernathy's ear.

It was a baby crying.

Abernathy told WBBM he put his hazard lights on, got out of his vehicle, and ran over to the infant, who was all alone in a car seat.

Prosecutors told CWB Chicago that the baby was found "abandoned on the sidewalk."

Police said Ochoa — the accused carjacker — had gotten rid of the baby who had been strapped in the stolen SUV and left her in front of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in the 800 block of West Roosevelt Road, which is about four miles from the BP gas station where the carjacking went down, WBBM noted.

After coming to the infant's rescue, Abernathy called 911 and even went on Facebook Live to see if anyone could identify her, WBBM said.

"I just feel like that's what a normal person would do," Abernathy added to WBBM. "I just felt like it was just a bogus situation. Everybody I saw was riding past."

As you might expect, the little girl's family was heavy on the hunt for her.

"We were panicking. We panicked," the baby's grandmother, Karen Fuller, later told WBBM. "We didn't know, and I just kept praying."

Fuller added to WBBM that she's grateful that Abernathy got out of his car to help her 7-month-old granddaughter, who was soon reunited with family, was unharmed, and has been doing well.

"I was so happy," Fuller noted to WBBM. "I went to his page, and I thanked him so many times."

Abernathy told WBBM he wouldn't hesitate to do it all over again: "Of course, any time. It could have ended differently. I'm just glad it ended the way it ended."

As for Ochoa, CWB Chicago said he was arrested just before noon — less than two hours after the carjacking — and was charged with aggravated vehicular hijacking of a vehicle with a passenger under 16 and aggravated kidnapping of a child. Cook County Jail information accessed Friday morning indicates the 39-year-old's next court date is July 29.

Observers very well may say Abernathy — the Good Samaritan in this otherwise nightmarish situation — may not have been able to help in the place and time he did had he not been stuck in traffic and forced to endure blistering heat with his windows down, given his lack of A/C. Indeed, it might be said that his frustrating circumstances seem to have come together to allow a heroic outcome — in front of a church, no less.

Steve Deace — BlazeTV host of the “Steve Deace Show” and a columnist for Blaze News — had the following to say about the turn of events.

"This heroic story is like a metaphor for the era — and what it is lacking," Deace told Blaze News. "An actual man took action that saved innocent life, and he was compelled to by inconvenience. We have too few men, too many conveniences."

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Stop pretending the Democrats are imploding

Democratic leaders aren’t inciting attacks on Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers out of pure hatred for Donald Trump and his administration. Their motives are strategic. Practical. By undermining immigration enforcement, they protect a pipeline of future Democratic voters — including violent criminals like the “family man from Maryland.”

Once these illegal aliens receive driver’s licenses, they’ll land on voter rolls. They already count in the census, inflating congressional representation in blue states teeming with illegal immigrants. Democrats didn’t bring these “newcomers” here just to deport them.

Republicans imagine that all or at least most Americans are on the same wavelength with them. But that may not be the case.

If activists now ambush and shoot ICE agents, Democratic leaders seem to treat that as a price worth paying to preserve their long-term electoral advantage. And they can count on the corporate left-wing media to help them.

The press operates as an extension of the Democratic Party, not just in the United States but across the Western world. CNN, NBC, and MSNBC broadcast the same spin you’ll hear on CBC, BBC, Deutsche Welle, and France 4. With this media backing, Democrats face little scrutiny — even when they tacitly abet violence against federal agents.

Right now, public support for deportations hovers around 50%, and it might be higher if the media didn’t stage-manage the narrative. Watch a few minutes of network television or skim the New York Times, and you’ll come away thinking border czar Tom Homan’s raids target preschoolers and migrant field hands.

Fox News insists the anti-Trump mobs are just fringe radicals. They’re not. A massive leftist electorate just nominated Zohran Mamdani to be the next mayor of New York City, and if the polls mean anything, he just might win in the fall. Other major cities are led by mayors only slightly less radical — Karen Bass in Los Angeles, Brandon Johnson in Chicago, Michelle Wu in Boston. When it comes to immigration, they’re just as hostile to ICE and just as gushingly sympathetic to illegal aliens as Mamdani.

The “people” voted for these multicultural, America-be-damned leftists. The fantasy that Democratic voters are victims of a hijacked party is infantile nonsense. A growing share of the American electorate has radicalized — including black voters, government employees, and especially college-educated white women, who dominate the culturally leftist bloc in my own Pennsylvania borough.

Despite years of street violence, riots, and inflammatory rhetoric, the Democrats haven’t collapsed. They still hold a slight edge in the generic congressional ballot. RealClearPolitics polling shows the GOP ahead by only seven points. The Democrats may have lost ground — but they’re far from finished.

Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

Let’s not forget: In the last presidential election, Democrats lost the popular vote by just two million votes, running a hapless candidate against an incumbent with enormous political energy. That’s how effective the Democratic machine remains — even in a lopsided matchup.

No one should mistake this for incompetence or insanity. Yes, the party boasts plenty of scatterbrained motor mouths such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.). But don’t confuse theatrics with disarray. Democratic leaders push grotesque policies — mutilating children with “gender-affirming” surgeries, putting men in women’s sports, promoting race-based discrimination — but voters haven’t punished them for it.

Republican observers tend to judge the other side by their own standards. They also imagine that all or at least most Americans are on the same wavelength with them. But that may not be the case. Democrats don’t even pretend to feel regret when ICE officers take a bullet or when anarchists torch city blocks. They know their base relishes in the havoc.

This is calculated politics. Democrats want to expand their base through mass migration and lawfare, not persuasion. That’s cold strategy, not insanity.

If Republicans want to win, they need to stop imagining their opponents are self-destructing lunatics. They aren’t. Democrats play to win. The GOP must prepare for a real fight — not fantasyland.

Chicago carnage: 50+ shot, 8 killed during bloody July 4th weekend — but mayor focuses on LGBTQ Pride, safety in city

More than 50 people were shot — eight of whom were killed — in Chicago during a bloody Fourth of July weekend, according to a report. However, the Democratic mayor of Chicago seemed more focused on LGBTQ Pride events and how safe the city is for LGBTQ+ tourists.

At least 55 people were shot, eight fatally, in the city between midnight on Thursday and Sunday night, according to WLS-TV.

'Why don’t you step away from this s**t and fix the crime in your city, you POS.'

The news outlet noted that the carnage over the holiday weekend actually was dramatically less severe than last year.

In 2024 over the Fourth of July weekend, 105 people were shot, 22 of whom were killed, WLS-TV previously reported.

Included in this year's holiday weekend violence, two gunmen opened fire on a group of people, seven of whom were wounded, according to Block Club Chicago.

A reported drive-by shooting in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood early Saturday morning left four wounded — three critically.

According to city data, there have been 206 homicides in Chicago this year, which actually is 31% less than in 2024. There have been 171 fatal shootings so far this year in the city.

However, the alarming figures from the Fourth of July weekend do not include the bloodbath that occurred just a day beforehand.

Just after 11 p.m. last Wednesday, a mass shooting erupted near a restaurant in the River North neighborhood.

Citing the Chicago Police Department, WFTS-TV reported that a dark-colored vehicle drove by the restaurant and shots were fired into a crowd of people. The driver then fled the crime scene.

A community activist trying to quell violence was in the area during the shooting and told the news outlet that the victims were shot as they exited an event hosted by a local rapper.

Police said 18 people were shot and four were killed in the mass shooting. Three of the victims were rushed to local hospitals in critical condition, and another person was in serious condition, according to police. Ten victims were transported to hospitals in good to fair condition.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified the deceased as 23-year-old Devonte Terrell Williamson, 25-year-old Leon Andrew Henry, 26-year-old Aviance King, and 27-year-old Taylor Walker.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling stated, "They opened fire on a crowd. They didn't care who was struck, and in a matter of seconds, they were able to shoot 18 people."

Snelling noted that the appearance by the rapper was not on the police department's radar because it was a private event.

Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest of the suspects in the deadly mass shooting. Those with any information on the fatal shooting should contact 1-800-535-STOP.

The official Facebook account for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a Democrat, said of last Wednesday's mass shooting: "We will not rest until the perpetrators of this mass shooting are brought to justice. Chicago, if you have any information at all about this tragic incident, now is the time to come forward."

Johnson's statement added, "Our hearts are with the families of the victims of last night's tragic mass shootings. Acts of cowardice like these shootings are unacceptable, and we won't stand for them as a city."

While Johnson's Facebook account did not mention the Fourth of July weekend violence, the mayor on Tuesday did claim that Chicago was "ranked the safest destination for LGBTQ+ tourists in America." Johnson added that he "spent a day ... speaking with residents, community leaders, and local business owners about what our administration is doing to support public safety, LGBTQ+ tourism and civil rights, and small businesses."

One commenter under the post replied, "Is this a joke[?] Just look at what happened there 4th of July weekend."

Johnson's official profile on the X social media platform also did not mention the Fourth of July weekend shootings — but on Monday the mayor did highlight an LGBTQ Pride festival.

"Pride South Side's All American Pride festival last Saturday was a joyous celebration of [our] unstoppable spirit that defines the South Side and the city's diverse LGBTQ+ community," Johnson's X page stated.

That got under the skin of more than a few commenters. One replied that Johnson was "still silent" about those shot "over the holiday weekend. So much blood on your hands." Others were more direct.

"Failed city, failed mayors, murder capital of the freakin world," one wrote. "Fatigue man, FATIGUE."
"Why don’t you step away from this s**t and fix the crime in your city, you POS," another suggested.
"Try doing your job, you worthless t**t," another stated, while adding an image of a headline noting "CHICAGO: AT LEAST 50 SHOT SO FAR DURING JULY 4TH WEEKEND."

The mayor's office did not mention the recent bloody violence on its official website.

Blaze News requested a comment from Johnson's office but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

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Thugs rob teen of his iPhone, Nike sneakers; but boy's family finds 1 suspect — and delivers painful payback: Cops

A 14-year-old boy was walking near a bus stop in Chicago one afternoon last month when four males approached him, CWB Chicago reported, citing authorities.

One of the males asked for his sweater, authorities said, according to the outlet. But when the boy ignored them and kept walking, the same male allegedly picked him up — after which the boy punched the male in defense, CWB Chicago reported, citing authorities.

The outlet said that about five minutes after the robbery, the boy and his mother went to the house where two of the suspects had been seen entering.

With that, a second male allegedly rifled through the boy’s pockets and stole his iPhone, Nike gym shoes, and hoodie, the outlet said, adding that the Chicago Police Department report said the items are worth between $1,200 and $1,450.

Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images

Authorities said the teen ran barefoot to his grandmother’s home nearby, and police were notified shortly afterward, the outlet said, citing the arrest report.

Thug carjacks a grandmother as her 6-year-old grandson looks on. But crook soon gets his comeuppance.

A 66-year-old grandmother traveled to an Aldi grocery store on the South Side of Chicago one afternoon earlier this month — and she had her 6-year-old grandson in tow, CWB Chicago reported.

After parking in the Aldi lot, the grandmother pulled her purse from the trunk of her black 2024 Buick SUV, and she and her grandson began walking toward the grocery store, the outlet said, citing a detention proffer from Cook County prosecutors.

Gilmore got away in the victim's SUV, prosecutors told the outlet, adding that surveillance video captured the June 8 incident in its entirety.

But what began as an everyday shopping trip soon took a terrifying turn.

Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

Prosecutors told CWB Chicago that 18-year-old Keshawn Gilmore confronted the grandmother with a black handgun and demanded the grandmother's keys and even "grappled" with her as her young grandson stood nearby.

Gilmore got away in the victim's SUV, prosecutors told the outlet, adding that surveillance video captured the June 8 incident in its entirety.

The suspect soon ran out of luck, however.

License plate readers on the Dan Ryan Expressway picked up the stolen SUV around 4:30 p.m., CWB Chicago said, adding that Chicago police spotted the vehicle around 30 minutes later near 19th Street and Albany.

Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Gilmore was behind the wheel, prosecutors told the outlet, adding that two passengers also were in the vehicle.

'I'll blow your head off': Carjacking victim threatened crook after turning the tables on him. Now carjacker learns his fate.

Early one morning last year — around 6:28 a.m. Jan. 2, 2024, to be exact — a Chicago motorist told police he was sitting in his car in the 9400 block of South Laflin Street when Darrius Berry approached him, CWB Chicago reported.

The 39-year-old victim said Berry walked up to the driver's window of his 2021 Mazda CX-9 and pointed a gun at his head, the outlet reported.

'Who’s with you?'

“Please give me the keys,” Berry allegedly told the victim, according to the outlet. “I need your car. I’m sorry, sir. ... Go in the house.”

The victim did just that, handing Berry his keys and heading into his house, the outlet continued.

But what Berry likely didn't count on was the victim reappearing soon after.

It turns out that the victim grabbed his own gun, went back outside, and confronted Berry, who was sitting behind the steering wheel of the victim's car with a gun on the passenger seat, CWB Chicago said, citing a report.

“If you reach for it, I’ll blow your head off,” the victim recalled telling Berry, according to the outlet.

JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images

It gets even better.

The victim opened the car door, grabbed Berry by the collar, and pulled him to the ground, CWB Chicago said, citing officials.

“Who’s with you?” the victim asked Berry, according to the outlet, presumably out of concern that Berry may have accomplices to help him carry out the crime.

“He’s around the corner,” Berry reportedly answered, CWB Chicago said, adding that the victim said he never saw anyone.

Soon after, Chicago police responded to a call of a "citizen holding an offender" and found the victim holding Berry at gunpoint, the outlet said.

Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images

Police recovered the gun Berry allegedly left on the Mazda’s passenger seat, the outlet reported, adding that a police report indicated the firearm had been stolen from a vehicle in the 1400 block of West 90th Street about a month prior to the ill-fated January 2024 carjacking.

Judge Thomas Hennelly on Monday sentenced Berry — now 19 years old — to 10 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to one count of vehicular hijacking, CWB Chicago said, citing court records.

The outlet added that Berry will be eligible for release in just over three years due to Illinois' "standard 50% sentence reduction and credits earned while in jail."

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Chicago Mayor Urges City To ‘Resist’ Looming Trump Immigration Crackdown

'Counting on all of Chicago to resist in this moment’

Carjacker abandons infant on sidewalk — but Good Samaritan having a frustrating day ends up in the perfect spot to help

Stop pretending the Democrats are imploding

Chicago carnage: 50+ shot, 8 killed during bloody July 4th weekend — but mayor focuses on LGBTQ Pride, safety in city

Thugs rob teen of his iPhone, Nike sneakers; but boy's family finds 1 suspect — and delivers painful payback: Cops

Thug carjacks a grandmother as her 6-year-old grandson looks on. But crook soon gets his comeuppance.

'I'll blow your head off': Carjacking victim threatened crook after turning the tables on him. Now carjacker learns his fate.

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