This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Crime & Safety

Accused Carjacking Accomplice Appears in Court

A defense attorney for April Schmidt, who is accused of assisting a man with carjacking an Orland Park restaurant employee with a BB gun, received more evidence in the case in court Tuesday.


A woman who has been facing charges connected to an Orland Park carjacking appeared briefly in a Bridgeview courtroom Tuesday, as her defense attorney received more evidence for the case.

April Schmidt, 23, of Woodriver, is charged with aggravated vehicular hijacking, and is out on bail. Schmidt pleaded not guilty on Aug. 2, along with Jonathan Sarolas, 24, .

Wearing a thin hoodie and jeans, Schmidt didn't speak as she stood next to attorney Timothy M. Grace in Judge John J. Hynes' courtroom. Grace received "packets of discovery" from prosecutor Debbie Lawler. Grace told Patch after the hearing that he was appearing for his partner, Marc E. Gottreich, and declined further comment on the case. 

Find out what's happening in Orland Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to reports, Sarolas and Schmidt fled the parking lot of Red Lobster in Orland Park, driving an employee's car, after Sarolas held up the employee with a BB pistol and stole her car keys and purse.

Sarolas and Schmidt drove south in the stolen car on LaGrange, when police started chasing them. They turned west on 167th Street, and turned again onto Liberty Circle where they hit a dead end, as officers followed. Schmidt was picked up near the car and Sarolas was arrested days later. He had been released from prison 11 days before the incident, authorities said.

Find out what's happening in Orland Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Both Schmidt and Sarolas are scheduled to be back in court on Nov. 15.

Sign up for Orland Park Patch breaking news alerts.

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Looking for more stories about this carjacking case?

  • Police Searching For Man Who Stole Car with BB Gun
  • Cops: BB Gun Carjacker Caught at Midlothian Metra Stop
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.