Illinois State Police report progress in fight against vehicle theft, hijacking
Published 10:21 am Tuesday, July 21, 2026
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois State Police recovered 342 stolen or hijacked vehicles and made 28 related arrests during the second quarter of 2026, as part of an ongoing effort funded by state grant money aimed at combating vehicle theft and hijacking.
The agency’s efforts are funded through grants from the Illinois Secretary of State’s Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council, which awarded the state police $10 million in its first year of funding, followed by $677,000 in June 2024 and $637,500 in July 2025.
From April through June, the agency reported 24 arrests connected to stolen vehicles and four arrests connected to hijacked vehicles, along with the seizure of 10 firearms during vehicle recovery operations. State police conducted 20 missions specifically targeting stolen and hijacked vehicle recovery and related violent crime during the period, using K9 units in 11 of those operations and air support in 20. The agency’s forensic laboratory also handled 975 assignments tied to stolen or hijacked vehicle cases.
Among the operations highlighted by the agency, troopers on May 21 located a stolen Nissan near 47th Street and Vincennes Avenue in Chicago and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle fled, and its three occupants attempted to run on foot before all three were taken into custody; two firearms were recovered.
On May 25, troopers located a stolen vehicle near 111th Street and St. Lawrence Avenue in Chicago and attempted another traffic stop. The vehicle fled before stopping near 109th Street and Troop Street, where the driver ran from the vehicle and was taken into custody. A firearm was recovered.
On June 26, troopers located a vehicle connected to a recent hijacking near Sibley Boulevard and Torrence Avenue in Calumet City and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle fled before stopping in the 100 block of West 110th Place in Chicago, where both occupants ran from the vehicle and were taken into custody.
