Classic Cars Targeted: Theft and Damage Reported at Hot Rod Power Tour in Joliet

In Joliet, Illinois, a group of valuable muscle cars was recently stolen and vandalized, causing concern among car enthusiasts.

The vehicles had been parked outside a hotel while their owners participated in the renowned Hot Rod Power Tour.

ABC7 reached out to the Joliet police department to gather details about this bold theft.

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The incident occurred after the Hot Rod Power Tour made a stop at the Route 66 Raceway on Monday afternoon. As night fell, many participants retired to nearby hotels, only to discover that thieves had made off with four cars and inflicted serious damage on another four.

The Hot Rod Power Tour showcases both classic and contemporary muscle cars, drawing significant crowds wherever it goes. On Tuesday, the tour stopped in Rantoul, but the previous night in Joliet had already been marred by the theft of several prized vehicles from a hotel parking area.

“These are very high-end vehicles, which makes them particularly attractive targets,” explained Sgt. Dwayne English of the Joliet police department.

The cars were so appealing that a group of thieves tracked the cars to a hotel parking lot overnight Monday and made off with four of the cars. They apparently tried, but failed, to steal four others as well. ABC7 was told a hotel guest recorded video of the thieves on her phone and has turned that video over to police.

The Tri-County Auto Theft Unit is investigating the case. They believe this involves a relatively sophisticated group of thieves who knew what they were looking for.

“It became very apparent this was an operation,” English said. “It just wasn’t one or two people.”

Investigators say the thieves broke into the cars by smashing the windows and using some device to start the cars without the keys. Police were called to the scene around 5:30 a.m., with the stolen cars already long gone. But investigators are confident they will find the suspects.

“Suspects who steal these cars or damage these cars are going to be sought aggressively,” English said.

As part of the investigation, police are looking into whether whoever stole them scouted out the cars earlier in the day at the raceway.