21 Years for Suspect in Waukegan Carjacking and Police Chase

Elijah Monette sentenced for armed carjacking of mother and child, leading to high-speed pursuit

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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A judge has sentenced Elijah Monette, 22, of Zion, Illinois, to 21 years in prison for his role in an armed carjacking of a mother and her child in Waukegan in March 2024. Monette and several other suspects, some armed with machine guns, carjacked the woman's vehicle before leading police on a high-speed chase through multiple jurisdictions in Lake County. The chase ended in North Chicago, where several suspects fled on foot before being apprehended.

Why it matters

This case highlights the serious threat to public safety posed by armed carjackings and high-speed police pursuits, which can endanger innocent bystanders. It also underscores the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to hold violent offenders accountable.

The details

In March 2024, Monette and four other suspects, some armed with machine guns, approached a 33-year-old Waukegan woman in the parking lot of a Target store and carjacked her vehicle at gunpoint while her young son was inside. The suspects then fled southbound, leading police on a chase that reached speeds of 120 mph and involved multiple law enforcement agencies. The chase ended in North Chicago, where several suspects fled on foot before being apprehended. Four guns, some with "switch" devices to make them fully automatic, were recovered from the stolen vehicle.

  • The carjacking occurred around 2 p.m. on March 17, 2024 in Waukegan.
  • The police chase began around 2:40 p.m. on March 17, 2024 and ended in North Chicago.
  • Monette was sentenced by a judge on February 21, 2026.

The players

Elijah Monette

A 22-year-old man from Zion, Illinois who was charged and sentenced for his role in the armed carjacking and police chase.

J'Keveon Lewis

An 18-year-old man from Zion, Illinois who was also charged in connection with the incident and admitted to possessing guns and recording the police chase on Snapchat.

J'Corey Lewis

A 17-year-old from Waukegan, Illinois who was the driver of the stolen vehicle and is being tried as an adult.

Waukegan Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the initial carjacking call and led the pursuit of the suspects.

Kwame Raoul

The Illinois Attorney General whose office handled the prosecution of the case.

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What they’re saying

“This was a horrific crime that occurred in broad daylight with no regard for human life, based on the actions of the offenders.”

— Scott Chastain, Then-Waukegan Deputy Police Chief (lakemchenryscanner.com)

“What started as a terrifying ordeal for a mother and her young son, resulted in a high-speed chase that jeopardized the safety of the community.”

— Kwame Raoul, Illinois Attorney General (lakemchenryscanner.com)

“It is a pleasure to learn of the court decision resulting from the combined efforts of Waukegan Patrol Officers, Waukegan Criminal Investigators, and the Attorney General's Office. Working collaboratively, we were able to successfully hold suspects accountable for their crimes while committing an aggravated vehicular hijacking. This horrendous act forever impacted the life of a victim and their family. Our hope is the justice served acts as a deterrent for others seeking to commit such crimes.”

— Craig Neal, Waukegan Deputy Police Chief (lakemchenryscanner.com)

What’s next

The cases against J'Keveon Lewis and J'Corey Lewis remain pending in Lake County Circuit Court. Charges against the remaining juveniles are also pending in the Lake County Juvenile Detention Court.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for strong collaboration between law enforcement and prosecutors to hold violent offenders accountable and protect public safety, especially in the face of brazen crimes like armed carjackings that put innocent lives at risk.