ILLINOIS STATE POLICE COMBATS VEHICLE HIJACKING AND THEFT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2024
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July 10, 2024
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) continues to target vehicle theft, hijacking, and related violent crimes using grant funding from the Illinois Secretary of State Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council. ISP was awarded a $10 million grant for the first fiscal year, and another $677,000 grant announced in June 2024.
“The Illinois State Police uses a multi-pronged approach, including increased patrol, air operations support, investigations, and forensic services to combat vehicle hijackings and thefts,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “This grant funding will allow ISP to focus additional resources on catching those committing vehicle thefts, hijackings, and other related violent crimes."
From April through June 2024, ISP missions resulted in the following:
Vehicles recovered – stolen and/or hijacked | 251 |
Stolen vehicle arrests | 24 |
Hijacked vehicle arrests | 3 |
Firearms seized as a result of stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery | 15 |
Missions targeting stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery and related violent crime | 58 |
K9 used for stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery and related violence crime | 22 |
Air Operations targeting stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery and related violent crime | 58 |
Forensic laboratory assignments related to stolen/hijacked vehicle | 1,356 |
Highlights of ISP vehicle recovery efforts:
- April 5, 2024, ISP pursued a stolen Jeep on 57th and Wells in Chicago. The vehicle parked in the area of 88th and Kenwood where the suspects exited the Jeep and entered a Lincoln. The Lincoln fled and crashed near 93rd and Harper where the suspects ran from the vehicle. ISP took two suspects into custody and recovered a stolen firearm.
- May 6, 2024, ISP located a stolen Nissan and attempted a traffic stop at Laramie and Gladys in Chicago, but the Nissan fled. The Nissan parked at 16th and Homan and four suspects ran from the vehicle. ISP took all four suspects into custody and recovered two firearms.
- June 6, 2024, ISP located a stolen Dodge on I-94 at 71st. Troopers attempted a traffic stop, but the Dodge fled. The Dodge stopped in the area of 50th and Morgan and ISP took two suspects into custody.
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