Thou shalt not carjack a priest: Teen gets 4 years for Holy Name hijacking attempt

Raleigh Ford, an 18-year-old man who was on parole for armed robbery, has been sentenced to four years in prison after attempting to carjack a priest outside Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. The incident, which took place on May 21, 2025, outside the iconic church at 730 North Wabash Avenue, involved Ford trying to steal the priest’s 2015 Toyota RAV4.

The priest had parked his SUV in front of the cathedral with the keys in the ignition while he went inside to check the mail and have lunch with a group of nuns. Upon returning, he found Ford inside the vehicle and a struggle ensued. Ford allegedly punched the priest and tried to force him out of the SUV, but the priest managed to pull the keys from the ignition, preventing Ford from driving away. Ford then fled the scene but was later identified through surveillance footage and arrested by Chicago police officers.

Five days after the attempted carjacking, Ford was arrested again for allegedly being found inside a 2011 Porsche Cayenne on North Clark Street. This incident added to Ford’s criminal record, which already included an armed robbery conviction from 2024, for which he had been paroled just two days before the cathedral incident, as well as two stolen motor vehicle cases from his juvenile record.

As per Illinois law, Ford will be required to serve 50% of his prison sentence and will receive credit for the 483 days he has already spent in custody. This makes him eligible for release in a little over eight months. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of rehabilitation and the challenges faced by individuals with criminal backgrounds in reintegrating into society.

The sentencing of Raleigh Ford highlights the need for support and resources for individuals with criminal histories to prevent reoffending and promote successful reentry into the community. It also underscores the role of law enforcement and the justice system in holding individuals accountable for their actions while also providing opportunities for rehabilitation and growth.

Overall, the case of Raleigh Ford serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of criminal behavior and the importance of addressing underlying issues such as poverty, lack of education, and access to support services in reducing recidivism and promoting public safety.