Two rest areas along I-80 in Illinois are being plagued by thieves. The problem has gotten so bad that the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has issued a warning to truck drivers.
According to IDOT, the westbound Three Rivers Rest Area on I-80 near Minooka, IL has been home to a theft ring for “an extended period.” Now it appears that the problem has spread to the eastbound rest area as well.
Apparently, thieves aren’t just targeting cargo. They’re also targeting truckers themselves. According to IDOT, thieves are “opening cab doors while truckers are sleeping and stealing their wallets.” This is incredibly dangerous, so IDOT is asking truckers to “use extra caution, lock all doors, and secure their loads.”
The full warning is below:
We are working with Illinois State Police to combat a theft ring that has impacted the westbound Three Rivers Rest Area on I-80 near Minooka for an extended period. It is now impacting the eastbound rest area as well.
The theft consists of opening cab doors while truckers are sleeping and stealing their wallets. At the eastbound rest area, thieves are breaking into the cargo areas.
We urge truck operators to use extra caution, lock all doors and secure their loads.
We strive to keep the rest areas as safe as possible and appreciate your assistance in the matter.
Stay safe out there!
If drivers were not up against restrictive firearms carry laws and carrier policies, this problem would quickly solve itself… :-/
just heads up you can carry a firearm in your truck it’s legal. most company will tell you it’s illegal but not true. they just dont want you too going from state to state is different I have my concealed carry cards for almost every state so no sweat but some states still may act stupid about it but
we park and sleep in areas that we have no clue how they really are so I’m sorry
but I’m carrying period.
stay safe out there guys & gals
it is the states and companies that say you can or cannot carry in a truck or any vehicle. . There is a bill in DC that drivers need to get behind to allow a Federal carry license for CDL holders.Get behind it. Contact OOIDA they have the info on it. If you meet the permit qualification your elgible
Totally agreed
Yes we should be able to carry for our protection out here.
Its the reason I refuse to drive otr anymore.
No way I’m going to be a sitting duck just because a bunch of reprobate politicians don’t want me to defend myself
No federal law against carrying a firearm in a commercial rig. Screw the company, you can find another job.
Until your gun gets stolen too.
What moron doesn’t keep their wallet in the sleeper with them?? Deserve to be targeted for being so stupid.
That’s so cynical, I think one should assume that once their truck is locked that no would access their living/work space. So I wouldn’t call them stupid just naive which is why I ratchet strap my doors when I am forced to park in sketchy areas. I seldom have to do that because I can give two sh%ts about what the stupid eld says.
You’re the kind of idiot that blames a woman for getting raped because she has a vagina. How are you even able to breathe with that shrivelled pea brain.
Amen
Like this answer.
Really you think somebody deserves to be stolen from? You are part of the problem.
Hide your wallets.
Where else to keep your wallet? We use to roll the truck tire on it
Should be able to carry you live in your truck so the same rules will apply as if I’m in my house
Who in the hell would sleep with there doors unlocked !
I been at this rest area a few times … Thank for information …
I know that I don’t & I repeat don’t lock my doors I let Ethel take of” anyone” opening the door. She is a 14′ Boa. If that doesn’t work I let my other snake take of it. Colt python
until you wake up without your snakes, theyll steal those too..
*************Warning************
To all thieves! I promise you when you get into my cab you will leave out on way!
*************Warning************
Who is scared of a snake hero don’t lock ur doors u asking for it and u will get it
If someone stole my wallet, they’ll be very disappointed.
I’m with you if they steal my wallet the would be a broke dick thief. Lol just fuel card and point cards in there.
Lolll
I do think that truck drivers should be given interstate, multi state carry permits with all the crap that goes on.We need the right to protect ourselves.
How about putting a donut eater in a marked car at these rest areas for a while? At least the driver can get some sleep and not drive all day and guard the truck all night. You know, like every thing else in the name of safety. Just a thought from a non- state employee, maybe it make sense and we can’t have that.
Hell set up bait trucks if the problem is that bad
Not just rest areas. Along I-294 in the Chicago suburbs, there are signs warning truckers of cargo theft at the plazas.
I support truck drivers being able to carry a gun . I amazed to hear that they don’t sleep with their wallet. Wow.
Especially any trucker with military honorable discharges ⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️
Not sure why drivers would not lock their doors. Hell, I lock my CAR doors the minute I get in – and I don’t live in Chicago!
Bingo Tommy same here, I live in a small town but if I’m gonna be inattentive while in vehicle while on phone etc. I’m pushing that lil button & hear “snap”, now I feel a lil safer while I’m focused doing something. I do the same in ANY vehicle, rig or personal.
I do try to lock my doors, sometimes you have to wait a minute after shutting the truck off or it automatically unlocks them again.
Why count sheep with your doors unlocked?
Fox lab 5.3 million scolvin pepper spray is the best.
In the cab of your truck. you need to rethink this. Sure you them him but the spray gets you too and then you have to air out the truck so you can drive. I prefer low pen rounds that do devastating things to the inside of the bad guy without spaying gore all around the trck.
State needs to install false and real video cams. And “this area monitoring” warning signs.
My dog would have your face if you opened my cab door in the night. She sleeps on the driver seat at night. But my doors are always locked, and my wallet rarely has more then 25.00 so theives beware, many trucks have protection.
I’ve met a lot of drivers at those rest areas to do mobile DOT physicals in their sleepers. It’s never been a problem, but just be safe.
Truckers should be allowed to carry
We’re up against danger all the time in foreign locations. I remember going to New York and while i was backing down an alley i saw three guys jump out of my trailer with some cargo. I called police and they said it happens all the time just stay inside the safety of my tractor. A co-worker got killed in Detroit 4 years ago on his 10 HR break. Thieves broke into his tractor robbed him and killed him. This dude was a single parent with a daughter in college and one daughter about to graduate high school. I cried hard man because he was a very headstrong person providing for his family. Yes we can call 911 but how long will it take for officers to respond? If you’re wounded how long for an ambulance to arrive you transport you to a hospital? These critical moments count. I say if your able to carry legally then what’s the issue?
Takes more than a locked door. That happened to me at the flying j in gary IN (its loves now)
They had a key to unlock door. (I woke up they got nothing) So when wife was with me. We used to wrap seatbelt thru door handle. Door ain’t getting open from outside or inside like that. In case of emergency probably have to cut the belt.
That’s why I have a German Shepard ride with me and if that don’t scare them my 38 special will, but I’ve never seen anyone get past the dog, and I always sleep with my wallet between me and the back wall of the sleeper
My 50lb Shar-Pei greets everybody at the door. And trust me it is not with kindness in her eyes.
So the State doesn’t seem to want to do anything even though this has been going on for an “extended period” of time? Just where are our fuel taxes and tolls going?
Sounds like they need to do more than merely “strive”.
Amen.
I had my wallet stolen one time in west Memphis AR guess what my wallet is with me at all times now. And what trucker don’t lock his doors? My day locked all the time now. And if my doors are open for any reason my every light comes on in the truck and I have my knife with me and that’s the next thing I’m swinging leaving my bed if u get stabbed in the face neck or throat well sorry for ya but I do believe that truckers should be able to carry a weapon on the truck being its our work place and home if we can have a gun in our cars and homes what’s the difference out in our trucks it’s our work and home
Just a thought, why dont the state create some jobs and hire 24/7 armed Security officers to patrol the property .
YES OTR and all truck drivers after back ground check should be authorized to carry a loaded firearm for self protection. If the driver is not safe, then the cargo aint either. Its obvious that the thiefs are sitting close by watching whose where and when. Can you say surveillance camera’s and surveillance state. Illinois is a non carry non reciprocity state they are “GUN” safe zone.
You ARE authorized to carry in your truck. I’m not sure who told you NO? Your company? After you die, your family suffers, not the company. Read on each states law and carry my man. IL, NY and CA are the problematic ones but even they allow if you follow their rules.
Instead of askin’, it’s time to start strappin’. I’ve never carried, but I’m thinking about it.
Oo nice. I have a German Sheppard and a machete… i will request loads that way and even sleep with my window partially down and doors unlocked. PLEASE GIVE ME A GIFT BY GIVING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHOP SOME1 WITH MY MACHETE!!! ITS SO BIG AND SHARP. I BEEN DYING TO SLAM IT ON A SCUMBAG! 🙂
Dudddeee we are on the same page! I carry at all times. I’m waiting for the day that I can unload this magazine into a scumbag trying to steal from me. I even have my ear protection with me, so I’m READY READY!
Once you take a life. You will never be the same. Especially if it’s a kid. Did enough of that overseas. My wife gets out of bed and away from me if I’m sleeping that hard. Cause I almost ripped her throat out in my sleep. So yeah that shit will haunt you forever. So can I take a life. Yes. Do I want to. No. So you shouldn’t think like that partner. My actions are instinct, I just react. Most people freeze up if they have never been in any self defense situation. Training will help get your mind ready to when you have to pull that time card on someone in self defense.
too true.
Since truck drivers are slaves to federal rules and regulations doesn’t it make sense to protect us with federal laws concerning cargo theft personal theft and assault,murder.crooks get less time robbing a truck than dealing drugs and they payoff can be very lucrative for them
Make it a federal crime (no parole no early release) and yes we should be able to carry
Theft of or from an interstate shipment is a “federal crime”. Depending on how the judge rules, theft from an interstate driver can also be a “federal crime”, at the very least “interfering with interstate commerce”.
Last thing I want to do, is to hurt someone but, the first thing I have to do is protect me and mine ! I carry and keep proficient with what I carry. Persons that would break in on another to commit a crime is a person that would probably do one Bodly harm without a second thought! If someone comes in your door uninvited, Protect yourself by whatever means necessary!
95% of trucking crimes are committed by fellow truck drivers. keep your 🤐 and keep out.
Does that rest area not have cameras. Most in Illnois do. But that state is so broke they are probaly just dummy cameras. So I guess I’ll just have to continue to protect myself. What a shame lol
In most of these cases the driver is in on it, especially the cargo thefts.
Thieves have no clue what you’re carrying but the driver knows. Minooka Illinois is a fairly safe area.
I don’t believe this happens without the driver being in on it.
Also most trucks today have Cameras and inward cameras with night vision.
Truckers love to FLASH THEY HAVE A GUN, Truckstop employees have told about numerous drivers pointing guns at them for knocking on their door when illegally parked.
But not at a thief breaking into their cab or trailer??? Hummm?
Doesn’t that seem a little strange to you?
I tuck mine under my bed and keep my pistol tuck between the cabnets for a easy grab if i nedd it.
Just imagine if truckers loved each other as BROTHERS and stuck together as TEAMSTERS, when it use to be that way NO ONE DARED TO MESS WITH TRUCK DRIVERS, IF A STUPID SHIPPER OR RECEIVER BANNED ONE FOR SPEAKING UP FOR HIMSELF, THEY BANNED US ALL!
The public never even thought about it, they stayed in their Lane and we stayed in ours! LOVED IT!!!
It doesn’t affected them so they really don’t care what happens to you out there. You can’t protect yourself? Your Truck is your home because you live in it.
Door locks are easily opened by a thief with just a little practice. I doubt these drivers are leaving their doors unlocked.