Offense: Vehicular Hijacking/Stolen Motor Vehicles (UPDATE)
PPD Incident #25-24043

UPDATE: 12/18/25
During the course of this investigation Peoria detectives and task force officers with the Greater Peoria Auto Crimes Task Force (GPACT) identified a 16-year-old male as the suspect, who carjacked a victim in the Hardee’s drive thru during this incident.

On December 16, 2025, Peoria Police detectives, in collaboration with GPACT and the United States Marshals Service, located the juvenile at a residence in the 1700 block of S. Westmoreland Avenue. The juvenile was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Peoria Police Department for an interview.

During the apprehension of the 16-year-old hijacking suspect, a 17-year-old male wanted by GPACT for a separate vehicle theft occurrence was located at the residence too. The juvenile was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Peoria Police Department for an interview.

Members of GPACT executed a search warrant at the residence after the juveniles were taken into custody for items related to the hijacking. During the search, evidence related to the hijacking and stolen identity property were seized from inside the residence.

The 16-year-old juvenile was arrested on charges of Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking (two counts), Aggravated Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, and an active warrant. The 17-year-old juvenile was arrested on the charges of Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, and an active warrant. Both juveniles were transported to the Juvenile Detention Center.

Previously Reported:
(PEORIA, IL) On Saturday, December 6, 2025, at approximately 8:17 a.m., Peoria Police officers responded to the 11000 block of North Oakwood Drive regarding a report of a recently discovered motor vehicle theft involving a 2024 GMC Sierra with a snowplow attachment.

Officers located the stolen GMC Sierra in the 1700 block of West Candletree, occupied by five juveniles. As officers approached, the driver fled and disregarded multiple traffic control devices. Due to concerns for public safety and the safety of the juvenile occupants, officers did not initiate a pursuit.

Utilizing technological investigative tools, officers tracked the vehicle traveling northbound on Knoxville Avenue, north of Pioneer Parkway. Through telematic resources, the vehicle was slowed down and brought to a stop in a parking lot in the 8600 block of North Knoxville.
All five juveniles fled from the vehicle on foot in various directions. Two juveniles approached a black Genesis at the Northpoint CEFCU ATM, one armed with a firearm, and entered the occupied vehicle while the driver was still inside. One male sat on the driver’s lap, forcing the vehicle to move. The vehicle struck the building and a support post in the parking lot before the juveniles fled. One of the males entered the CEFCU building, where he was taken into custody. A firearm was recovered during the apprehension.

A second male ran to the Hardee’s parking lot, implied he had a weapon, forced the driver from a black Nissan, and fled in that stolen vehicle.

The Nissan, initially believed to still have a victim inside, was later observed traveling at high speeds on Route 6, Route 150, and entering I-74 off-ramps in the wrong direction. Officers subsequently confirmed no victim was inside the vehicle. Due to the extreme danger posed by the suspect’s reckless driving, the pursuit was discontinued. The Nissan was located and recovered a short time later in the area of Lexington Hills.

Ultimately, three juveniles were taken into custody and transported to the Peoria Police Department for interviews. All three juveniles were accepted at the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center.

Arrestees:
14-year-old male • Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking • Aggravated Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle • Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle • Aggravated Kidnapping • Woodford County Warrant – Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle (25JD21) – No Bond

14-year-old male • Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking • Aggravated Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle • Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon • Possession of a Stolen Firearm • IDOC Warrant – Parole Violation – Possession of a Weapon (D83902) – No Bond

15-year-old male • Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking • Aggravated Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle • Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle

This incident remains under active investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Peoria Police Department at (309) 673-4521, tip411 (anonymous), or Crime Stoppers at (309) 673-9000.

**All suspects and arrestees are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. **