CHICAGO — A 20-year-old man with a record of violent carjackings and robberies has been charged again — this time for allegedly targeting an armed security guard near Wicker Park during an early morning holdup.
Lance Talbert was arrested early Tuesday after he and three others allegedly pulled a gun on the 32-year-old off-duty guard who was sitting in his orange Dodge Charger near North Bosworth Avenue around 12:30 a.m.
Police say Talbert and three masked accomplices forced the victim out of his vehicle at gunpoint. The Chicago Police Department’s helicopter unit helped track the stolen Charger as it fled through city streets. Officers intercepted the vehicle in the 1900 block of South Trumbull, where Talbert attempted to run but was arrested.
Three Suspects Still At Large
The other three suspects — believed to have been riding in a white SUV — managed to escape. One of them reportedly dragged a Chicago police officer while fleeing the scene, according to a source familiar with the investigation.
Talbert is now facing:
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Two counts of armed robbery
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One count of aggravated vehicular hijacking
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Two counts of unlawful firearm possession
He is expected to appear for a detention hearing at 26th and California on Wednesday.
History of Violent Crimes Tied to Suspect
This isn’t Talbert’s first run-in with carjacking allegations. In September 2022, police said he committed a one-day crime spree that included:
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Six armed robberies
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Five carjackings
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One attempted carjacking
However, Talbert was under 18 at the time, meaning the cases were handled in juvenile court, where records are sealed and outcomes are not publicly available.
Court records show Talbert was also charged with illegal firearm possession in April 2024, though those charges were dismissed later that year.
Security Concerns Remain in Wicker Park Area
Residents in the Wicker Park and West Town neighborhoods have expressed growing concern over a surge in vehicular crimes and organized holdups targeting both civilians and workers. Tuesday’s incident is the second carjacking of a security guard near the area in recent weeks, according to local reports.
Police are continuing to investigate the latest case and are searching for the three outstanding suspects involved in the SUV escape.
Do You Feel Safe Driving Late at Night in Chicago?
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