ILLINOIS STATE POLICE COMBATS VEHICLE HIJACKING AND THEFT
January 13, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13, 2026
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, another $677,000 in June 2024, and $637,500 in July 2025.
From October through December 2025, ISP missions resulted in the following:
Vehicles recovered – stolen and/or hijacked | 243 |
Stolen vehicle arrests | 23 |
Hijacked vehicle arrests | 1 |
Firearms seized as a result of stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery | 5 |
Missions targeting stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery and related violent crime | 35 |
K9 used for stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery and related violence crime | 19 |
Air Operations targeting stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery and related violent crime | 35 |
Forensic laboratory assignments related to stolen/hijacked vehicle | 1027 |
Highlights of ISP vehicle recovery efforts:
- October 31, 2025, ISP located a stolen Nissan and attempted a traffic stop on I-94 southbound at 91st Street in Chicago, but the Nissan fled. The driver parked the Nissan around the 9000 block of S. Harper and two occupants ran from the vehicle and inside a residence. At the residence, officers found a stolen Porsche along with two firearms.
- November 21, 2025, ISP located a stolen Chevrolet and attempted a traffic stop on I-94 northbound at 87th Street in Chicago, but the Chevrolet fled. The driver parked the Chevrolet around the 7000 block of S. Michigan Ave and five occupants ran from the vehicle. ISP took all five occupants into custody.
- December 22, 2025, ISP located an Audi taken in an armed vehicular hijacking and attempted a traffic stop on Main at Cedarview in Carbondale, but the vehicle fled. Officers located the vehicle abandoned in a field. Officers located two occupants and took them into custody.
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