The streets of Illinois are set to become safer as the Illinois State Police (ISP) ramps up their efforts to crack down on vehicle hijackings and motor vehicle theft. Funded by a hefty $10 million grant from the Illinois Secretary of State, the ISP has rolled out a strategic plan to curb these crimes that have long plagued communities, per the official news release. The grant, specifically purposed for the Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council, is providing the much-needed resources for increased patrols, forensic services, and the deployment of tech-like automated license plate readers.
ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly outlined the department's commitment in a statement, explaining, "With the use of increased patrol presence, air operations support, automated license plate readers, investigations, and forensic services, the Illinois State Police is dedicated to stopping vehicle thefts and hijacking crimes." The initiative, which ran from October through December 2023, has yielded tangible results—an array of 251 vehicular recoveries and upwards of 19 stolen vehicle arrests. Nevertheless, the numbers tell of an uphill battle: not a single hijacking arrest was made during that period, underscoring the complexity and elusive nature of these criminal manifestations.
According to the press release published on the ISP website, high-tech approaches such as the use of automated license plate readers are proving instrumental. One highlight included the pursuit of a Volkswagen involved in an aggravated vehicular hijacking on November 21st. The vehicle met its dead end in a crash on S. Lafayette Street in Chicago with four suspects apprehended and a firearm off the streets. Similarly, on November 29th, a stolen Hyundai was chased down with help from air support, culminating in a crash at W. 167th Street, Hazel Crest, where two suspects were detained and another firearm was recovered.
The ISP's air operations have been particularly active, as was the case on December 13th when officers located a stolen vehicle. Their attempt at a traffic stop provoked a chase ending at River Drive, Hazel Crest. Multiple suspects fled into a residence, and a secondary stolen vehicle was found parked at Shabbona Drive in Park Forest. The outcome: four suspects in custody two stolen vehicles and four firearms recovered. Full details of such engagements are documented on the ISP website. Alongside the mechanical hounds like K9 units and the eye in the sky provided by air ops, forensic science also plays a pivotal role, with 1,366 laboratory assignments related to stolen/hijacked vehicle incidents reported in the same period.
