High-end cars participating in 2026 Hot Rod Power Tour stolen, damaged in Joliet hotel parking lot
Multiple high-end cars participating in the 2026 Hot Rod Power Tour were damaged, and some were stolen from a hotel parking lot in Joliet, Illinois, early Tuesday.
Police said officers responded to the hotel's parking lot at 1471 Rock Creek Boulevard around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday and found multiple damaged cars.
Police confirmed three Chevrolet Corvettes and one Chevrolet Camaro had been stolen from the parking lot.
Police said a Chevrolet SS, a Dodge Challenger, and an additional Chevrolet Camaro were found damaged in the parking lot. A Dodge Charger was also found damaged in the nearby parking lot of a Comfort Inn.
"People should step up and work a little harder instead of taking from other people. What's wrong with participating in humanity and giving instead of taking?" said the owner of a white 2017 Corvette Z06 with a Z07 package that was stolen, who asked to be identified only as Michael.
Michael said he, along with a friend and brother-in-law, came to the Route 66 Raceway in Joliet to take part in the Hot Rod Tower Tour on Monday. Michael said he's attended the tour for 19 years and never had a problem. His brother-in-law's car was also stolen. It was found in Dolton, after the person behind the wheel crashed it.
"From what we understand when officers in Dolton arrived, many people fled from the scene, but I can tell you no one was arrested as part of that incident, from what we understand," said Joliet Police Sgt. Dwayne English.
English said the value of these vehicles ranges from $60,000 to $90,000.
"These vehicles clearly represent a strong investment for the owner, and probably a strong element of pride for the owner as well," he said.
English said it's clear this was a coordinated effort, with each car taken without the keys used. Each owner had their key when their car was stolen from the parking lot.
No arrests have been made.
Anyone with video footage or additional information related to these incidents is encouraged to contact the Tri-County Auto Theft Task Force at 815-724-4677
