An 18-year-old Chicago-area man is accused of using the Sniffy’s Connect app to lure an Uber driver to a meeting, then robbing him using a gun and a baseball bat. During the attack, the assailant allegedly stole the driver’s cell phone and smartwatch and then used the devices to digitally access the victim’s bank account.
Jayroy Ramey was charged with armed robbery with a dangerous weapon in connection with the July 19 incident. The robbery occurred in the 4800 block of South Drexel Boulevard, on the border of Chicago’s Bronzeville and Kenwood neighborhoods.
According to reports CWB ChicagoRamey is suspected of committing similar crimes with at least one co-conspirator in and around the city.
Chicago police used to warned Residents reported three similar robberies on the same block in July. In both cases, the perpetrators used dating apps to lure victims to secluded areas, rob them, and use their mobile phones to transfer money from their bank accounts. Ramey is currently charged in only one of those cases.
The victim, a 30-year-old Cicero resident, told police he was chatting with someone on Sniffy while working as an Uber driver. Around 1 a.m., he arranged to meet a potential lover near Drexel Boulevard and 49th Street and parked in an alley.
When they arrived, a man approached the vehicle and directed them to a secluded area. Upon arrival, prosecutors allege, Ramey appeared from behind the door holding a silver object that looked like a baseball bat and ordered the victim to get on the ground and hand over her phone.
When the victim refused to provide her cell phone password, Ramey allegedly instructed an accomplice to shoot the victim in the leg if she did not comply.
According to the indictment, the second suspect pressed the gun against the victim’s left leg and then into his back while the victim was on the ground. The robbers held the phone up to the man’s face and used facial recognition to unlock it. Ramey allegedly noticed the victim was wearing an Apple Watch and stole it as well. The two men then pointed guns at the victim, ordered him to bow his head, and fled.
The victim drove away and called a patrol car to report the robbery.
After obtaining a replacement iPhone, the victim discovered that someone had accessed her bank account and made at least 10 fraudulent debit purchases on July 21, totaling $1,856. Prosecutors said the account was linked to the stolen cellphone. Investigators also discovered orders were placed through the victim’s Uber Eats account, including at least one delivery that was sent to Ramey’s home address.
On July 24, Maywood police executed a search warrant at Ramey’s home in connection with an unrelated juvenile investigation involving similar charges.
They recovered a Glock handgun with a loaded 30-round magazine behind the headboard. Police also reportedly found driver’s licenses, identification cards and credit cards belonging to people who did not reside at the home. A search of Ramey’s cell phone showed he was at a location on Drexel Boulevard at the time of the robbery, police said.
Ramey recently turned himself in to face charges in this incident and another armed robbery that occurred on February 5, 2025, when he was a juvenile. The victim of the July 19 robbery later identified Ramey from a photo lineup. Ramey’s co-conspirators have not yet been identified.
Judge Shauna Bolliker ordered Mr. Ramey held in custody awaiting trial.
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
