Dozens of Airbags Stolen in Overnight Lakeview Raid

Latest incident in citywide theft craze leaves Honda owners scrambling for repairs

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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At least two dozen cars had their airbags stolen overnight in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, the latest in a citywide theft spree targeting late-model Honda vehicles. The stolen airbags can be quickly resold online for hundreds of dollars, leaving victims to wait weeks or months for factory replacements and driving some to seek parts from the same black market that victimized them.

Why it matters

The airbag thefts are part of a broader trend impacting Honda owners across Chicago, with police identifying multiple theft crews operating in the city. The crimes are lucrative for the thieves but leave victims without crucial safety features and struggling to get their cars repaired, feeding into the cycle of illegal parts sales.

The details

Police responded early Tuesday morning to reports of smashed windows and missing airbags on at least two dozen cars parked along Racine Avenue and nearby side streets in Lakeview. The thieves can strip a steering wheel airbag from certain Honda Civics in as little as 20 seconds, then resell the devices online for $120 to $400 each - a fraction of the $1,000 cost of factory replacements. Authorities have identified three separate theft crews believed to be targeting late-model Honda vehicles, particularly 2016 to 2021 Honda Civics, across the city.

  • The thefts occurred overnight early Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • Police have been issuing community alerts about the airbag theft trend since it began in December 2025.

The players

Chicago Police Department

Law enforcement agency investigating the citywide airbag theft spree and issuing community alerts to warn Honda owners.

National Insurance Crime Bureau

An organization that estimates approximately 50,000 airbags are stolen annually nationwide and warns that some unscrupulous repair shops are installing stolen airbags while billing customers for factory replacements.

Honda

The automaker whose vehicles, particularly the Civic model, have become a favored target for airbag thieves due to the brand's popularity and demand for parts in both legitimate and illegal markets.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the suspected theft crew members out on bail.

The takeaway

The airbag thefts highlight the growing problem of organized crime targeting popular vehicle models for their valuable parts, leaving victims without crucial safety features and struggling to get their cars repaired. This trend underscores the need for stronger measures to combat the illegal parts trade and protect consumers.