Chicago police have arrested a 17-year-old boy, James Lostion, in connection with a violent robbery and shooting that took place two months ago. According to prosecutors, Lostion has a history of serious juvenile crimes, including gun possession, drug offenses, and carjacking. The latest incident occurred on November 11, when he allegedly robbed another teenager on his way to school and shot him multiple times.
Details of the Incident
The victim, also 17 years old, was walking to school around 10 a.m. in the 5300 block of West Congress. Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Rusch said that Lostion approached the boy, lifted his sweatshirt to reveal a handgun in his waistband, and demanded the victim’s expensive Moose Knuckle jacket and Bape hoodie. Combined, these items were valued between $1,300 and $1,600.
The victim gave up his jacket and hoodie. However, when Lostion discovered the victim’s iPhone, he demanded the password. The boy gave him a fake password, hoping to avoid further trouble. Lostion began walking away but turned back moments later and shot the boy multiple times.
The victim suffered serious injuries and had to undergo surgery, during which part of his intestines were removed.
How Police Identified Lostion
The victim described Lostion’s appearance, noting that he was wearing a black sweatshirt with a pink spider and gold stars on it. Investigators shared photos of the suspect across the city, and a police officer recognized him.
Later the same day, Lostion allegedly committed another armed robbery in the 5200 block of West Harrison. Police arrested him after investigating this second case.
When officers searched Lostion’s phone, they found photos of him holding firearms. They also found pictures of the stolen jacket and hoodie and chat logs where Lostion reportedly admitted to shooting someone while trying to sell the stolen clothing.
Lostion’s Juvenile Criminal History
Prosecutors revealed that Lostion’s criminal history started years ago. In 2022, he was placed under court supervision for unlawful possession of a weapon. In 2023, he received probation for a carjacking case. At the time of the November robbery and shooting, Lostion was already on probation for gun and drug-related charges.
Current Charges and Investigation
James Lostion now faces several serious charges, including:
- Attempted first-degree murder
- Aggravated battery by discharging a firearm
- Armed robbery with a firearm
Judge David Kelly has ordered that Lostion be held in custody while the case moves forward.
Chicago police also released a community alert on November 16 linking these robberies to other similar crimes that occurred in the 400 and 500 blocks of South Lockwood during the same week. However, Lostion has not yet been charged in those cases.
Police Efforts and Community Safety
This case highlights the growing concern over youth involvement in violent crimes. Authorities are continuing to investigate the string of robberies and are urging residents to remain vigilant. They are also working to determine whether Lostion was involved in additional incidents.
(Source : newsbreak.com)
