Springfield, IL – Illinois State Police announced new results from its statewide vehicle theft and hijacking enforcement initiative, reporting hundreds of stolen vehicle recoveries and dozens of arrests during a three-month period.
According to the Illinois State Police (ISP), the agency continues to combat vehicle theft, hijacking, and related violent crime through grant funding provided by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council.
The agency said it received a $10 million grant for the first fiscal year, followed by $677,000 in June 2024 and $637,500 in July 2025 to support enforcement efforts.
From April through June 2026, Illinois State Police reported the following statewide results:
- 342 stolen and/or hijacked vehicles recovered
- 24 stolen vehicle arrests
- 4 hijacked vehicle arrests
- 10 firearms seized during stolen or hijacked vehicle recovery investigations
- 20 missions targeting stolen or hijacked vehicle recovery and related violent crime
- 11 K-9 deployments related to stolen or hijacked vehicle recovery and associated violent crime
- 20 air operations supporting vehicle theft and hijacking investigations
- 975 forensic laboratory assignments related to stolen or hijacked vehicles
According to ISP, the initiative is designed to reduce vehicle theft and violent crime while supporting local law enforcement agencies throughout Illinois.
Illinois State Police said the grant-funded program remains an important component of the agency’s efforts to investigate vehicle-related crimes, recover stolen property, and hold offenders accountable.
