Airbag Theft Spree Hits Late-Model Hondas in Chicago's Lake View

Police warn residents to use anti-theft devices and report any suspicious activity.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Chicago Police are investigating a recent spree of airbag thefts targeting late-model Honda vehicles in the Lake View neighborhood. In each incident, suspects broke the driver's side window and removed the steering wheel airbag. The thefts occurred across multiple blocks in Lake View between February 15 and February 17.

Why it matters

Airbag thefts can be a costly and dangerous problem for vehicle owners, often resulting in thousands of dollars in damage and leaving cars vulnerable. This spree highlights the need for residents to take precautions and work with police to address property crime in the area.

The details

According to police reports, the airbag thefts occurred at locations across Lake View, including the 3400 block of N Paulina, the 3100 block of N Seminary, the 1200 block of W Cornelia, and several other blocks. In each case, the suspects targeted late-model Honda vehicles by breaking the driver's side window and removing the steering wheel airbag.

  • The incidents were reported between February 15 and February 17, 2026.
  • The thefts occurred during overnight hours, with the earliest reported at 5:00 PM and the latest at 11:00 PM.

The players

Chicago Police

The local law enforcement agency investigating the airbag theft spree and warning residents to take precautions.

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What’s next

Chicago Police are continuing to investigate the incidents and encourage residents to report any suspicious activity to authorities.

The takeaway

This airbag theft spree highlights the need for vehicle owners to take proactive security measures, such as using steering wheel locks, to protect their cars from targeted property crimes. Residents should also remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior to the police to help address this issue in the Lake View neighborhood.