At least 20 late model Honda Civics have been broken into in neighborhoods all across the city, since December, CPD said.
Investigators say thieves are targeting air bags because they're easy to steal, expensive to replace and in high-demand on the black market. They go for about $100.
Police are advising car owners to buy an anti-theft device that lays over the air bag area of the steering wheel.
CPD said there are one to two male suspects wearing jumpsuits, possible driving a red Ford F-150 with an unknown license plate and a GMC black pickup truck with dealer plates that were reported stolen.
One car came into Victory Honda Tuesday morning, after someone smashed the driver's side window, pried open the steering wheel and stole the air bag, causing about $4,000 in damage.
"The harness has to be replaced. The cable has to be replaced. The airbag module has to be replaced. It's an expensive repair," said Mike Spano, with Victory Honda.
It apparently takes the burglar just a couple minutes to get in, get the air bag out and get away.
The Honda of Downtown Chicago Service Center has gotten several dozen cars in for repairs, including a couple Monday night.
Thieves took one for a joy ride, but couldn't steal the air bag.
"Really, it's so risky to steal something of that nature to resell it. The danger of it deploying while trying to rewrite it to another car is significant," said Joel Adames, with Honda of Downtown Chicago.
Adames says they even stole his car from the street last month.
He says he's unsure why thieves are targeting late model Honda vehicles or why they are taking the air bags.
He said there are no valuable metals or parts in them.
And they have serial numbers that make them easy to track.
"I tell a lot of my clients go pay $40 for a club and put an Apple ID in your car. Hide it somewhere so you can see where it's going," Adames said.
The incidents took place at the following times and locations:
- 800-block of West 16th Street between 4 p.m. Dec. 21, 2025 and 8:05 a.m. Dec. 22, 2025 (Near West Side)
- 900-block of West 18th Street between 8 p.m. Dec. 21, 2025 and 9:30 a.m. Dec. 22, 2025 (Lower West Side)
- 2200-block of West Mclean Avenue between 4 p.m. Dec. 21, 2025 and 6:30 a.m. Dec. 22, 2025 (Bucktown)
- 2000-block of West Armitage Avenue between 4:30 p.m. Jan. 14, 2026 and 5:30 a.m. Jan. 15, 2026 (Bucktown)
- 2300-block West Flournoy Avenue between 9 p.m. Jan. 15, 2026 and 11:30 a.m. Jan. 17, 2026 (Tri-Taylor)
- 3900-block of North Recreation Drive between 4 p.m. Jan. 21, 2026 and midnight Jan. 22, 2026 (Lakefront)
- 3900-block of North Recreation Drive between 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21, 2026 and 6:40 a.m. Jan. 22, 2026 (Lakefront)
- 4700-block of North Marine Drive between 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21, 2026 and 8:50 a.m. Jan. 22, 2026 (Uptown)
- 4300-block of North Marine Drive at 2:56 a.m. Jan. 22, 2026 (Uptown)
- 4900-block of West Cullom Avenue between 8 p.m. Jan. 30, 2026 and 6 a.m. Jan. 31, 2026 (Portage Park)
- 3600-block of North Long Avenue between 11 p.m. Jan. 30, 2026 and 8:10 a.m. Jan. 31, 2026 (Portage Park)
- 4900-block of West Montrose Avenue between 5 p.m. Jan. 30, 2026 and 9 a.m. Jan. 31, 2026 (Portage Park)
- 5400-block of West Edmunds Street between midnight and 9:15 a.m. Jan. 30, 2026 (Jefferson Park)
- 4900-block of North Lester Avenue between 7:20 p.m. Jan. 30, 2026 and 9:45 a.m. Jan. 31, 2026 (Jefferson Park)
- 4400-block of North La Crosse Avenue between midnight and 10:50 a.m. Jan. 31, 2026 (Portage Park)
- 4800-block of North Linder Avenue between 8 p.m. Jan. 25, 2026 and noon Jan. 26, 2026 (Jefferson Park)
- 5500-block of West Edmunds Street between 11 p.m. Jan. 30, 2026 and 3 p.m. Jan. 31, 2026 (Jefferson Park)
- 3300-block of North Lamon Avenue between 10 p.m. Jan. 30, 2026 and 2 p.m. Jan. 31, 2026 (Portage Park)
- 6100-block of West Higgins Avenue between 8 p.m. Jan. 30, 2026 and 4 p.m. Jan. 31, 2026 (Jefferson Park)
- 3800-block of North Central Avenue between 4 p.m. Jan. 30, 2026 and 4:30 p.m. Jan. 31, 2026 (Portage Park)
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Three detectives at (312) 744-8263 or Area Five detectives at (312) 312-746-7394. Anonymous tips can be submitted at CPDTIP.com.