Federal prosecutors have charged 11 southern Illinois residents in connection with an alleged theft operation that repeatedly targeted a St. Louis warehouse, taking classic cars, race vehicles, motorcycles and heavy equipment before moving the property across the Mississippi River into Illinois.

The alleged criminal enterprise is said to have operated between December 2025 and April 2026. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois, members of the group made multiple visits to the downtown St. Louis warehouse, removed vehicles and other equipment, and then concealed or attempted to sell the items in Illinois.

Vehicles and equipment allegedly stolen

The inventory identified by the Department of Justice includes a 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454, a 1937 Ford dirt-track race car, another white race car, several motorcycles and a 1997 John Deere 6675 skid steer.

Earlier court records cited in local reporting describe an even broader collection of allegedly stolen property. That list included a 1960 sprint car, a Formula 3 race car, an Indy car, a Yamaha 650 dirt bike and at least 20 Bultaco Astero motorcycles.

The unusual nature of the vehicles may have made them difficult to move discreetly. Investigators reportedly located online advertisements offering some of the allegedly stolen vehicles and other equipment for sale.

Federal charges filed

The defendants face varying charges, including conspiracy against the United States, selling or possessing a stolen motor vehicle, and transporting a stolen vehicle across state lines.

U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft said the case involved cooperation among federal, state, county and local agencies on both sides of the Mississippi River. The federal indictment alleges that the group used the state boundary while carrying out and concealing the operation.

The charges remain allegations. All 11 defendants are presumed innocent unless they are proven guilty in court.