Woman Uses OnStar to Call Police While Held at Gunpoint
Updated: Sunday, 16 May 2010, 8:46 PM CDT
Published : Sunday, 16 May 2010, 8:46 PM CDT
Sun-Times Media Wire
Chicago – Police used the OnStar vehicle security system to capture a man who allegedly forced a couple into their new Cadillac at gunpoint during an early Friday robbery on the South Side, police.
Jerrell Arterberry approached a couple, both in their 50s, as they walked to their home in the 7400 block of South Harvard Avenue and demanded money at gunpoint about 4:30 p.m. Friday, police said.
When the armed robber was not satisfied with the amount of money the couple had on them, he forced them to let him inside their home, where he took the money in the residence, police said.
Arterberry then forced the couple into their black 2010 Cadillac four-door vehicle at gunpoint and began driving them to a Currency Exchange at South Vincennes Avenue and West 79th Street, police said.
While being held in the Cadillac at gunpoint, the woman secretly pressed the vehicle’s emergency button, and the OnStar vehicle security system called police after not getting a response to the emergency notification, police said.
When officers arrived at the Currency Exchange, the woman told police they were being robbed and pointed to Arterberry, according to police. Officers wrestled with Arterberry as the gun in his waistband fell out his pant leg and eventually subdued and arrested him, police said.
During the struggle, a female police officer was punched in the face, police said.
Arterberry, 24, of the 3200 block of West Walton Street, was charged at 1:32 a.m. Saturday with one count each of aggravated battery to a police officer and home invasion, according to police, who said Arterberry was on parole.
He was ordered held on $50,000 bail and was booked into the Cook County Jail at 2600 S. California Ave. on Saturday, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s office website.
OnStar is an in-vehicle security, communications and diagnostics system available on more than 50 General Motors models, according to the company’s website.
Calumet Area detectives are investigating.
