Across numerous surveillance recordings, SUVs can be seen violently ramming through glass storefronts and entryways, enabling criminals to break into businesses and make off with merchandise, cash, or entire ATM units.
A striking pattern emerges when examining these videos closely , the vehicle of choice is, more often than not, a Jeep.
“Jeeps offer trim packages or, in models that are high performance, they have larger engines and they are able to operate at higher speeds,” said Lt. Adam Broshous with the Illinois Statewide Auto Theft Task Force.
Through a formal public records request submitted to the Chicago Police Department, investigators obtained multiple years of motor vehicle theft data to better understand how frequently Jeeps are being targeted by thieves across the city.
The data paints a concerning picture. Between 2019 and 2024, Jeep thefts climbed steadily each year, rising from 427 incidents to a peak of 1,702, before declining to 1,180 in 2025.
That downward shift is consistent with a broader reduction in overall motor vehicle thefts observed through 2025.
When comparing year-to-date figures through August 1, a total of 659 Jeeps have been stolen in 2026 , a figure closely aligned with the number recorded during the same period in 2025.
The Grand Cherokee stands out as the most frequently stolen Jeep model in 2026, with nearly 400 units taken by thieves. Notably, it is also the same model most commonly observed in crash-and-grab incidents occurring throughout Chicago.
“I’ve had three different Jeeps and they have been stolen four times,” said Brian Fox, a resident of the Logan Square neighborhood. He noted that in each instance, his vehicles were taken directly from the street.
Lieutenant Broshous pointed out that the traditional method of hotwiring vehicles has largely become obsolete among today’s thieves. The prevailing technique now involves cloning or programming key fobs , a practice he noted was first observed with Jeep vehicles.
“So Jeeps and Dodge products were pretty much the first manufacturer that we were seeing this trend with and have always been the most prevalent,” he said.
However, Broshous was careful to clarify that this is not necessarily a flaw unique to any single manufacturer.
“The technology and the information coupled together makes it fairly easy, once you learn how to do it, to be able to do it quickly and quite often,” he explained.
An analysis of Chicago Police Department data further reveals that the Durango is the most frequently targeted Dodge model among car thieves.
Both the Dodge and Jeep brands fall under the Stellantis corporate umbrella. When contacted regarding the volume of stolen vehicles and the key cloning phenomenon, Stellantis responded with a formal statement: “Stellantis vehicles meet or exceed all applicable federal standards for safety and security. While such events are rare, they are not exclusive to any make or model of vehicle.”
The automaker further stated that it is “engaged in continuous product improvement,” urged drivers “to take due care in securing their vehicles,” and affirmed that “The security and protection of our customers are unsurpassed priorities.”
Lieutenant Broshous echoed those sentiments by advising vehicle owners to utilize a private garage whenever possible, rather than leaving their cars parked on public streets. He also recommended the use of physical deterrents such as steering wheel locks or anti-theft clubs.
That advice appears to have resonated with Brian Fox, who acknowledged he may take such precautions going forward.
“I’ve seen a lot of clubs lately and I’m like, oh, my God, these things are still around. I’m guessing it would probably help to have a club on your car,” he said.
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