Illinois State Police Report Vehicle Theft and Hijacking Results

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police say efforts to combat vehicle theft and hijacking led to hundreds of recoveries and dozens of arrests late last year, supported by grant funding from the Illinois Secretary of State Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council. Police received a $10 million grant for the first fiscal year, followed by $677,000 in June 2024 and $637,500 in July 2025. From October through December 2025, state police recovered 243 stolen or hijacked vehicles, made 23 stolen vehicle arrests and one hijacked vehicle arrest, seized five firearms, and conducted 35 missions targeting vehicle crime. Police also used K9 units 19 times, air operations 35 times, and completed 1,027 forensic laboratory assignments tied to stolen or hijacked vehicles.