Illinois State Police recover more than 400 stolen, hijacked vehicles in three months

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., (KBSI) — Illinois State Police recovered more than 400 stolen or hijacked vehicles during a three-month operation targeting vehicle thefts, carjackings and related violent crimes across the state.

According to ISP, troopers recovered 424 stolen or hijacked vehicles between July and September 2026.

The operations resulted in 21 arrests involving stolen vehicles and one arrest involving a hijacked vehicle. Troopers also seized seven firearms connected to stolen or hijacked vehicle recoveries.

During the three-month period, ISP conducted 38 operations targeting vehicle thefts and related violent crimes. The department also reported 19 uses of K-9 units, 38 air operations and 1,146 forensic laboratory assignments connected to stolen or hijacked vehicles.

ISP highlighted several incidents during the operation.

On Aug. 5, troopers responded to reports of a crash involving a stolen Nissan near Garfield Boulevard and Wells Street in Chicago.

A trooper later located the vehicle near Wentworth Avenue and 59th Street and attempted a traffic stop. Police said the driver fled before crashing into a tree.

The occupants attempted to run from the scene, but troopers took two people into custody and recovered a firearm.

On Aug. 22, troopers located a stolen Chevrolet on Interstate 55 near Halsted Street. Police said the driver fled an attempted traffic stop before stopping in an alley in the 7200 block of South Union Avenue in Chicago.

All four occupants ran from the vehicle but were taken into custody.

On Sept. 2, troopers located a Dodge connected to an aggravated vehicle hijacking on southbound Interstate 94 near 79th Street.

Police said the driver fled an attempted traffic stop before crashing into two unoccupied vehicles. Three occupants attempted to run but were taken into custody. Troopers also recovered a firearm.

The enforcement efforts are supported by grant funding through the Illinois Secretary of State’s Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council.

ISP received an initial $10 million grant, followed by an additional $677,000 in June 2024 and $637,500 in July 2025.

State police said the funding supports continued efforts to combat vehicle thefts, hijackings and related violent crimes throughout Illinois.