SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Chambana Today) —
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois State Police (ISP) continued an aggressive push against vehicle theft, hijacking, and related violent crime during the final months of 2025, recovering hundreds of stolen vehicles through grant-funded enforcement missions across the state.
The operations were supported by funding from the Illinois Secretary of State’s Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council. ISP was awarded a $10 million grant for the first fiscal year, followed by $677,000 in June 2024 and an additional $637,500 in July 2025.
From October through December 2025, ISP missions produced the following results:
|
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 |
ISP officials said the figures reflect a coordinated approach that combines patrol operations, air support, K9 units, and forensic analysis to disrupt organized vehicle theft and reduce violent crime tied to stolen vehicles.
Several incidents during the three-month period highlighted the scope of the effort. On Oct. 31, 2025, troopers located a stolen Nissan on Interstate 94 near 91st Street in Chicago. After the vehicle fled and its occupants ran into a nearby residence, officers discovered a stolen Porsche at the location along with two firearms.
On Nov. 21, 2025, ISP attempted to stop a stolen Chevrolet on I-94 near 87th Street. The vehicle fled and was later abandoned near the 7000 block of South Michigan Avenue, where five occupants ran from the scene. All five were taken into custody.
In southern Illinois, troopers on Dec. 22, 2025, located an Audi that had been taken in an armed vehicular hijacking in Carbondale. The vehicle fled and was later found abandoned in a field. Officers located two occupants nearby and arrested them.
ISP said the continued investment in vehicle theft prevention and enforcement is aimed at improving public safety and holding offenders accountable while disrupting the violent crimes often associated with stolen and hijacked vehicles.