Overnight crews are prowling the Far South Side, smashing windows on parked Hondas and vanishing with the steering wheel airbags, according to Chicago police in the 4th District. Most of the hits have landed in the early morning window between about 3 a.m. and 6 a.m., stretching across several Far South Side neighborhoods and leaving owners stuck with busted glass, gutted steering wheels, and expensive repairs.
Police Alert Lists Far South Side Incidents
In an alert posted Wednesday by the 4th District - South Chicago on X, police laid out a tight timeline for a string of break-ins on Feb. 2 and 3. Reports came from the 13300 block of S. Ave. N at about 3:55 a.m., the 11400 block of S. Ave. J at about 4:01 a.m., the 11300 block of S. Ave. M at about 6:05 a.m., where two vehicles were hit, and the 11500 block of S. Cottage Grove at about 5:45 a.m.
Investigators say two unknown offenders pulled up in a white sedan, smashed the driver-side windows, and removed airbags from late-model Hondas. The notice, filed under reference P26-02-001, urges neighbors to call 9-1-1 for emergencies and to contact detectives with any information.
Part Of A Citywide Surge
Police say this Far South Side cluster is part of a broader pattern of Honda-specific airbag thefts that the Chicago Police Department has been warning about since December. Lakeview alone saw roughly two dozen Hondas stripped in mid-February, according to Lakeview streets ransacked, and local outlets have documented similar hits across the North, West, and South sides.
Why Airbags Are A Target
The appeal for thieves is simple: airbags are compact, quick to remove, and easy to flip on online marketplaces for a fraction of dealer prices. CWB Chicago has reported resale prices in roughly the $120 to $400 range, while factory replacements often exceed $1,000. That price gap, combined with delays for legitimate replacement parts at body shops, has helped fuel a national spike in airbag thefts, authorities say.
How Residents Can Protect Their Cars
Police and local reporting urge drivers to park in well-lit or covered areas, save doorbell or surveillance video, and consider Club-style steering-wheel locks that cover the airbag as a visible deterrent. The 4th District is asking anyone with footage or tips to contact Area Two Detectives at (312) 747-8273 or submit an anonymous tip through CPDTIP.com, and it is reminding residents to call 9-1-1 for emergencies, according to the 4th District - South Chicago on X alert.
Longer Repair Times And Safety Risks
For victims, the headache does not end with the cleanup. Legitimate replacement parts are often backlogged, which can leave cars without a functioning driver-side airbag for weeks or months, and police warn owners not to buy parts from unknown sellers. Local reporting and authorities say improper or stolen airbags can be unsafe when installed, and that drivers should work with reputable collision shops and notify insurers, according to NBC Chicago.
