PEORIA, Ill. – There’s a new method in place to try and combat a growing problem in the city of Peoria and Peoria County: carjackings.
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias came to Peoria Wednesday to award $2.1 million to fund and create the Greater Peoria Auto Crimes Task Force.
“Crime just doesn’t stop when the car is stolen. Those stolen vehicles are then often used to commit even more violent offenses, such as armed robberies and burglaries,” said Peoria County State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos, a member of the task force, along with local and secretary of state police entities.
This is one of six police organizations statewide to get such a grant.
State Senator Dave Koehler agrees with efforts to try and combat carjackings, vehicle thefts, and other similar crimes in Peoria — if for no other reason than an experience he says someone he ran into had while at Springdale Cemetery.
“One day, we were there, and there was a couple that had just gotten out of their car, and they were looking of perplexed. They said, ‘You may not want to park here,’” said Koehler. “I said, ‘Why? We always park here.’ They said, ‘We’re from Wisconsin. We just moved here. And we parked and wanted to walk in the cemetery. We came back, and somebody stole our catalytic converter.’”
Koehler says that incident likely made the city look bad to some residents who just came here.
Police, lawmakers, and prosecutors are expected to be a part of the task force.
“Carjackings are, obviously, very serious crimes that involve use of weapons, and threat of violence. It can be a traumatic experience to our victims that have long-lasting effects on their lives,” said Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins. “Catalytic converter thefts may not be violent, but it is still wreaking havoc on our communities right now.”
Peoria County officials say since 2021, there have been a reported more than 2,000 motor vehicle thefts. There have been 293 stolen vehicle reports in the city already this year.
As for a message to criminals?
“You have three options: don’t do the crime, leave our county, or go to jail. We will not tolerate this behavior any longer,” said Eric Echevarria, Peoria Police Chief. “These crimes impact the families in our community. We are committed to addressing the illegal activities, and providing a safer Peoria for all, through this essential partnership.”
Watkins, who has said he’s had a significant number of carjacking reports in recent months, says the task force will focus on prevention, education, and prosecution.
