Pair of parolees facing attempted murder charges in carjackings that left 2 shot

Two men were charged in connection with multiple carjackings in Chicago, police announced Dec. 5, 2020. | Adobe Stock Photo

A pair of felons were on parole when they attempted to steal cars on two separate occasions last month, leaving two people shot in the process, according to prosecutors.

Marcus Whatley, 22, and Javon Readus, 23, are each facing six felony counts, including attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and aggravated battery in connection with the attempted carjackings, according to Chicago police.

With their guns drawn, Whatley and Readus approached a brother and sister sitting in their 2017 Dodge Charger on Nov. 25 and tried to take their car, Cook County prosecutors said in court Saturday.

The brother, who is licensed to carry a concealed gun, fired his weapon in self defense, leading Whatley and Readus to return fire 17 times before running back to their own car and fleeing the scene, prosecutors said.

The man suffered two gunshot wounds to his right arm and a graze wound to the top of his head. He remained hospitalized Saturday after undergoing surgery and required 13 staples to close his head wound, prosecutors said.

Marcus Whatley

Five days later, Whatley and Readus allegedly tried stealing a 2020 Lexus by using a four-door sedan to box the victim into his parking spot in an alley.

The victim was in the Lexus with his wife and their two children, ages 3 and 8, when Whatley put the muzzle of his gun against the driver-side window, inches from the victim’s head, prosecutors said. Whatley then allegedly tried to pull on the door handle, but found it was locked.

The driver sped forward as Whately and Readus fired more than 27 rounds at the Lexus, striking the driver, according to prosecutors, who added that the victim’s wife and children “miraculously” were not hurt.

The pair was arrested Thursday when a police license plate reader alerted officers that the 2019 Dodge Charger they were sitting in outside a store was stolen, prosecutors said.

Both defendants were later identified by the victims in photo arrays, prosecutors said.

Javon Readus

Both men have lengthy criminal records and are currently on parole — Whatley for a 2019 robbery and Readus for unlawful use of a weapon, prosecutors said. Readus is also facing charges in three other pending cases, prosecutors said.

Both men live in Chicago and have children on the way, an assistant public defender said. Whatley has two other young children and neither was employed, their attorney said.

A judge ordered Whatley and Readus held without bail.

Both were expected back in court Tuesday.