Chicago police are warning residents after a series of thefts involving Honda vehicles across several neighborhoods.
Police say suspects are targeting late-model Honda Civics by smashing the driver’s side window and removing the airbag from the steering wheel.
Mike Spano, service manager at Victory Honda on Western Avenue, said he’s surprised to see airbag thefts making a comeback.
“About 10 to 15 years ago, it was happening quite a bit,” Spano said. “There was a time when we came in one morning and found 20 airbags stolen from our inventory in a single night.”
The thefts have been reported during overnight hours in the Lower West Side, Bucktown, and Tri-Taylor neighborhoods.
Police documented incidents at the following locations and times:
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800 block of West 16th Street — December 21–22, between 4 p.m. and 8 a.m. (Near West Side)
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900 block of West 18th Street — December 21–22, between 9 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. (Lower West Side)
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2200 block of West McLean Avenue — December 21–22, between 4 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. (Bucktown)
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2000 block of West Armitage Avenue — January 14–15, between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. (Bucktown)
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2300 block of West Flournoy Avenue — January 15–17, 2026, between 9 p.m. and 11:30 a.m. (Tri-Taylor)
Investigators said the suspects are believed to be male and may be driving a red Ford F-150.
“Unfortunately, airbags come out fairly easily,” Spano explained. “It’s not very difficult to do, but there’s always the risk of damaging them or installing them improperly in another vehicle.”
According to insurance experts, about 50,000 airbags are stolen nationwide each year. While a new airbag can retail for around $1,000, stolen airbags may sell on the black market for as little as $200 to collision repair shops, which then charge customers full price.
“The body shops that buy these airbags, if they are buying them, are breaking the law,” Spano said. “They could lose their business license and even face jail time.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area Three Detectives at (312) 744-8263 or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com, using reference #P25-3-054.