SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WSIL) -- The Illinois State Police (ISP) are continuing efforts to tackle vehicle theft and hijacking in 2025, utilizing grant funding to target these crimes.
The ISP received a $10 million grant for the first fiscal year and an additional $677,000 grant in June 2024 from the Illinois Secretary of State Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council.
From January to March 2025, ISP operations led to the recovery of 243 stolen or hijacked vehicles, 16 stolen vehicle arrests, and 18 hijacked vehicle arrests. They used a K9 officer 16 times and there were 39 air operations which targeted stolen or hijacked vehicles. They also seized seven firearms during these operations as well.
ISP's missions focused on both recovering vehicles and addressing related violent crimes, a press release stated.
On January 24, ISP said they located a stolen Chrysler in Chicago. After a pursuit, the vehicle stopped, and two occupants were arrested with firearms recovered.
In another instance, on February 26, ISP reportedly found a stolen Kia in Chicago where six occupants were taken into custody.
On March 9, 2025, ISP stated a driver in a Nissan fled in Chicago, but took the driver into custody a short time later.
ISP will continue to combat vehicle-related crimes and ensure community safety across Illinois.
