Crime

Big Brother? OnStar Shuts Down Stolen Car During Police Chase

OnStar Shuts Down Stolen Car During High Speed Chase Near ChicagoTwo police departments, a helicopter and dozens of cruisers were hot on the trail of a stolen Chevy Camaro speeding through Illinois. But it wasn’t their efforts that ultimately stopped the renegade vehicle. It was OnStar.

The General Motors’ subscription-based service, which is often used to alert first responders to accidents or even let family members see where the car is driving, has the ability to shut down OnStar-enabled vehicles. This is just what was done to Brandon Holme’s car that was stolen from a West Dundee gas station and taken on a 40-mile, high-speed chase, according to Chicago’s CBS Local.

(Related: OnStar Users Could Earn $600 Per Month by Voluntarily Renting Out Their Cars — Will You?)

Here’s how it all went down:

“I walked into the gas station, and as I’m walking in, he’s walking out, and he goes, ‘Nice Camaro,’” Holme said. “The guy said ‘Nice Camaro.’ He jumped in my car and took it.”

Holme called police, then called OnStar to report the car had been stolen. Police, working with OnStar, trailed the Camaro to Chicago.

“They told me they could not use OnStar until the cop was behind him. They can’t just shut it off when it’s anywhere,” Holme said.

Watch the report:

At a certain point, OnStar was given the green light to shut off the car. The vehicle crashed into bushes after the gas pedal became inoperable. The man who stole the car, 20-year-old Andre Hill, was not injured in the crash and is currently in jail on $30,000 bail.

OnStar Shuts Down Stolen Car During High Speed Chase Near Chicago

Andre Hill (Photo: Cook County Sheriff's Office via CBS)

Holme credits OnStar for the reason he still has his vehicle — however banged up — today. Still, it is this very technology that has had others worried. Although OnStar is an optional service drivers must subscribe to, it was revealed last year that OnStar was tracking customers even after they had canceled subscriptions to the service. The Blaze reported at the time that Glenn Beck had even voiced his concerns about OnStar’s pervasive tracking capability a couple years before even this information came to light. But in September 2011, it was revealed OnStar was still collecting data on disabled vehicles. GM soon thereafter stopped this practice saying it would only maintain data tracking on customers after cancellation should they “opt-in.”

The Blaze has also reported on OnStar’s video chat technology and its patent for “Minority-Report”-style billboards that would be tailored to drivers based who it sensed was in the car and where it was traveling.


Comments (129)

1 2 3
  • Postiche
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:42pm

    It‘s only racial profiling if you’re wrong.

    Report Post »  
    • The Realist
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:36pm

      Just another Obama voter keepin’ it real den a mufuh.

      The owner of that car has no right to it anyhow. So sayeth the Obama voters.

      Report Post » The Realist  
    • GENEPAGLIARI
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 8:27pm

      That car is a guvmint motorz car and anyone has a right to it. The dude parked it in front of the store, so then it is hep yosef.

      Report Post »  
    • 1947
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 8:31pm

      Another Obama supporter following his “Fathers Dreams” take what you WANT………

      Report Post »  
    • db321
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 12:00am

      If Obama had a son, he would look like this guy!

      Report Post » db321  
    • GIVE.ME.LIBERTY.OR.I.WILL.GIVE.YOU.DEATH
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 2:00am

      PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT. On-Star could become an Obama-Star. This only leads to more government control in the future. If they can, they will. The RULING, by The US Supreme Court, cannot be repealed like Obama-Care can. This RULING STANDS. It is worse than Obama-Care. Anyways, about what On-Star can do, your government will also attempt to do. These things are so freaking obvious to me. One day, you dont do something that your government wants (government control) and then BAM!, Your car does not operate any longer. Didnt pay your energy bill on time? Insurance? Water? Big government? Being that the government has taking over big businesses with an excuse that it was too big to fail.

      Report Post » GIVE.ME.LIBERTY.OR.I.WILL.GIVE.YOU.DEATH  
    • Southerner01
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 2:32pm

      If Barack Obama had a son, he would look like Andre Hill!.

      Report Post »  
  • DDD
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:38pm

    Great idea for a new show! OnStar Bait Car!

    Report Post »  
    • KoolAidDrinker
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 4:25pm

      Do all Government Motor cars come equipped with BigBro (a.k.a. OnStar)?

      Report Post » KoolAidDrinker  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 4:33pm

      LOL, GM could be their primary sponsor.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • Leader1776
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:45pm

      @KOOLAIDGRINKER
      No, some gov cars come with the BigSis option ……….. illegal aliens with DOJ semi-automatics.

      Report Post » Leader1776  
    • G-WHIZ
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 2:08pm

      To “repeal” a sup-Court rulling, you only have to write annother bill and pass it through congress and have it signed by pres. . Annother prog who never read through the 30-some pages of our constitution.

      Report Post »  
  • lylejk
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:36pm

    Geraldo’s right; it is the hoodie to blame. Beware of folks wearing hoodies. :)

    Report Post » lylejk  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:36pm

    As our alcoholic Vp would say what‘s the BFD and who’s surprised a black punk stole a car? Hell just because blacks comprise 12% of the population and make up 70-80% of the prison population doesn’t mean a thing absolutely no connection with these two numbers.

    Either way we’ll pay for this tool in or out of the joint,so I propose for violent criminals and pedophiles execution. For idiots like Andre a public canning,it won‘t shame him because he’s beyond that and also give him some time in the pen.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • Diablo4965
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 4:13pm

      Don‘t worry we won’t have to pay for him being in jail, didn’y you here the are releasing the criminals in order to save money!

      Report Post » Diablo4965  
    • VoteBushIn12
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 4:47pm

      Correlation vs Causation.

      There is a correlation between blacks and crime, but is it causation? Clearly not. The issue is racists, not unlike the slime that posts on this site, that deliver far harsher sentences to minorities.

      Don’t be a racist.

      Report Post » VoteBushIn12  
    • Balthazor
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 4:58pm

      Votebushin12, what you said there…it’s really, really stupid.

      Report Post » Balthazor  
    • Machtyn
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:41pm

      It is also unfortunate that 42% of blacks attend the worst performing schools around the country. Teach them the right way when they are young, and they are wont to follow it as they mature. Our schools are failing, and the Teacher’s Unions prevent progress. Our government is failing by encouraging broken families. Are our churches failing too? Do they preach victimology over love, respect, and hard work?

      Report Post »  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 7:00pm

      @VOTEBUSHIN12 You’re leveling the charge of racism at me? You‘re an idiot and don’t know what you’re talking about and the only racists we have are democrats and fools like you who want to keep blacks down,can‘t have them succeed to justify all you’re unconstitutional social programs.Try your BS on some naive kid kid.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • VoteBushIn12
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 5:06pm

      @PROGRESSIVESLAYER
      That doesn’t even make sense.

      And yes, if you are claiming that Blacks are somehow more prone to commit crimes then I AM leveling the charge of racist against you because, well, that’s a racist thing to say.

      If you have a problem with reality you should either A) go to bed where your delusional perspective can’t hurt anyone or B) Kill yourself.

      Either way I don’t want you reproducing. You are de-evolving this species back to apes (or God‘s Breath if that’s what you’re in to. Which it probably is considering the “intelligence” you’ve exhibited thus far.)

      Report Post » VoteBushIn12  
  • TelepromoterNChief
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:35pm

    OnStar is racist.
    You never hear about them doing this to white folk.

    Report Post »  
    • OniKaze
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:50pm

      Because MOST white people won’t commit a crime unless they know they will get away with it…

      Being a “successful” criminal requires planning and forethought… Most young black people lack the ability to think that far ahead… Most are just concerned about the new lil’wayne song, how nice Beyonce’s butt is (although a lot of white people think about that too…), or…. How much money they owe their “Baby-Momma” for the child they walked out on….

      You know the usual things that Black youths think about… I know that sounds racist, but I have many black friends who I give crap to all the time for these very things…

      Report Post » OniKaze  
    • G-WHIZ
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 2:17pm

      if you: 1) go 1mph over the limit; 2) miss a turn on your trip; 3) accellerate 2-3% too fast to get onto the expressway; 4) few weeks behind on rent or house-payment; 5) your battery just died in your state-tollway-automatic-pass; … … … .

      Report Post »  
  • Brem
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:35pm

    So great that nobody was hurt? Just the taxpayers who have to fund this criminal and the insurance costs and the justice system and his future crime career

    Report Post »  
    • OhioRifleman
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:47pm

      @ Brem

      Shhh…those are the ‘incidental’ costs of crime. PC demands you do not draw attention to the fact that this maggot will be warehoused for 30K a year at our expense…oh wait, DOH! Did it again!

      Report Post » OhioRifleman  
  • poster
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:32pm

    How long before Sharpton & Company demand OnStar be closed down for their racist act?

    How long before Jesse Jackson demands that the OnStar company be given to one of his sons?

    How long before the Black Panther Party demands the company’s name be changed to Shabazz–Star?

    Report Post »  
  • Elena2010
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:29pm

    Well, will you look at that – a thug in a hoodie — in the middle of summer, no less! Must have burned out his brain cells!

    Report Post » Elena2010  
  • THX-1138
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:23pm

    I absolutely HATE that I already knew what the Perp looks like.

    That said, what kind of a moron leaves his keys in the car? My keys go with me every time I get out of the seat. I was taught that it’s rude to tempt weak people (not to mention expensive).

    I’m betting Andre and his Shyster sue the owner for Entrapment (and win).

    Report Post » THX-1138  
    • OhioRifleman
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:28pm

      In Illinois, that is a very real possibility. They really can be that stupid.

      Report Post » OhioRifleman  
    • OhioRifleman
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:29pm

      EXTENSION to my above comment: in the interests of full disclosure, I used to live in Illinois. I moved in ‘99 and haven’t looked back.

      Report Post » OhioRifleman  
    • TexasHunter
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 4:00pm

      At least thug love gave him a compliment before stealing his nice car. Chances are he will get a ticket for leaving his keys in the car unattended.

      Report Post » TexasHunter  
    • Balthazor
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 4:04pm

      Not that I disagree, but just to illustrate a point, I live in a town where I can leave my keys in the car and still have less chance of it being stolen than I do of being struck by lightning. That‘s the America we’re supposed to be living in.

      Report Post » Balthazor  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 7:19pm

      @ Bath. we must be neighbors – I live in a place like that

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
  • Lothmar
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:22pm

    Like how he shifts his head to show off his neck tat’s. lol.

    Report Post »  
  • poster
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:22pm

    Nice neck tattoo, Andre! What did that set us – er- you back?

    Report Post »  
  • spirited
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:22pm

    If it wasn’t for the government there would not have been a car to steal.
    If it wasn’t for the government the owner of the car, would not own a car.
    If it wasn’t for the government, there would not have been a phone to call the police.
    If it wasn’t for the government, there would be no police.
    If it wasn’t for the government, there would be no OnStar.
    If it wasn’t for the government, OnStar could not track & control that car.
    If it wasn’t for the government, the police would not have to allow OnStar to control that car.
    If it wasn’t for the government, there would not have been anywhere to stop that car.
    If it wasn’t for the government, there would not have been bushes to run into.
    ~~> The government get the credit –hand down!

    Poor Andre Hill probably needed a car, so he could find a job –to get to work.
    {[8^O> It’s the bushes fault.

    Report Post » spirited  
  • NDPINDNT
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:21pm

    OMG..look what he is wearing. And so were the guys the Old 71 year old guy recently shot when they were robbing the the people at an internet store. And he looks like he could be Obama’s son too? Hoodies must be in style for thieves. They can always fall back and accuse the law and people of racism if stopped.

    Report Post »  
    • spirited
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:31pm

      You mean a hoodie or the white undergarment ?

      >What was the tetemperature when Andre was participating in the entitlement program?

      Report Post » spirited  
  • biohazard23
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:20pm

    But Andre would never do nuthin’ wrong! He helps out the old folks at the senior center, he tutors dyslexic elementary school students, and fosters sick little kittens and bunny rabbits. Just ax his momma, she’ll tell you what a good boy he is. :)

    Report Post » biohazard23  
    • Coach Ted Moulmy
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 4:26pm

      No, he was turning his life around before the white guy (aka h o n k y) tempted him……

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 4:26pm

      You must watch the Atlanta local news. Momma is on every night.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • ClaudeRains
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:15pm

    If Obama’s son was a car thief he would look like Andre. BTW shouldn’t his name be spelled Awnduray?

    Report Post »  
  • tweetybird
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:15pm

    My question is…..how did the guy steal this car so quickly? Where the keys possibly still in the ignition with the car running? To me…..you are just asking for it. Total stupidity on the owners part. Maybe if you actually took the keys out the guy wouldn’t have stolen it and you would still have your camero in good condition. I wouldn’t have OnStar. I don’t trust anyone who has that kind of power. It always ends up bad.

    Report Post » tweetybird  
    • TheBurningTruth
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:29pm

      My thoughts exactly. Of course, that’s no excuse for stealing the car, just an invite. Kind of like women dressed to the hilt with super short skirts slit up to the waist wearing 6″ strapped heals (called PFM pumps), deeply exposed cleavages w/ no bra and bare midriffs walking drunk through tough neighborhoods and claiming it’s “their right” and “NO means NO!”

      Invites are often acted upon.

      Report Post » TheBurningTruth  
    • HotFixIt
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:31pm

      So, you blame the car owner, not the cat thief? I understand your point that we have to be ultra careful absolutely all the time, everywhere, because of the liberal cesspool we live in. So sad, but we can’t live blaming the good people. We have to lay the blame where it belongs, with the people who commit the crimes.

      I am still sick at my stomach after seein the video of the man laying dying in the street here in the USA with people walking by rubbernecking but no one stops to lend a comforting hand until help arrives. This is what socialism looks like and it scares me… I see people being conditioned to be more comfortable with little bits and pieces every day…. empty store shelves… longer and longer lines in the stores…. look around, war ARE CHANGING!

      Withstand the change.. point it out, be aware, don’t blame the good people, lay the blame where it belongs.

      Report Post »  
  • Balthazor
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:12pm

    Justice for Trayvon!!!!

    Report Post » Balthazor  
    • OhioRifleman
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:23pm

      Oh yes, Justice for Trayvon. Bashing the neighborhood watchman’s skull into the sidewalk receives a 9mm in the chest. Sounds fairly just to me.

      I say, Justice for HOLME!

      Report Post » OhioRifleman  
    • RLTW
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:29pm

      Yes, yes if Trayvon had worked hard and saved his money he woulda won-ed a chevy Camaro

      Report Post »  
  • BlackCrow
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:09pm

    Exactly why I will NEVER purchase a car with OnStar or a “smart” airbag system. What is to say the “authorities” would not disable my car because of some trumped up “emergency”? Not only no but H@#L NO!!! Same thing with the data recorders in the controller in a smart airbag system that can be subpoenaed. My car testifying against me? Not on your life!

    Report Post » BlackCrow  
    • just a patriot
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:14pm

      I’m with you… No way am I giving anyone that kind of power over me.

      Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:08pm

    So I have to wonder, if OnStar can stop the vehicle, what is to keep the Feds from using the same data to do it with everyones vehicles so equipped?

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • spirited
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:26pm

      That seems to be the bigger theme; while reporting the crime — and the happy-ending story.

      Report Post » spirited  
    • THX-1138
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:27pm

      Nothing.

      Report Post » THX-1138  
  • matinva
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:07pm

    I see the dumb@$$ meter is broken again.

    Report Post » matinva  
  • RightUnite
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:04pm

    Surprise, surprise!! I wonder if Andre would be Obama’s other son??

    Report Post »  
  • Mapache
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:03pm

    If Obama had a son…….

    Report Post » Mapache  
  • Disabledvet
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:03pm

    It cant be a Black man stole a car, we need to bring in the laws of other countrys for thiefs, cut off the right hand. But of course that would be racist because more blacks would lose hands so we would be picking on the blacks again.

    Report Post »  
  • BIgWheeler
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:58pm

    Is anyone surprised that he’s black?

    Report Post » BIgWheeler  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:01pm

      I am, I thought for sure he would be a 55 y/old Tea Partier. Those guys are dangerous.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • amyb73
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:08pm

      I’m going to start accusing everyone who makes stupid, racist comments like this of being a plant from the left. This is exactly the kind of commentary they love to highlight as representative of anyone whose opinion differs from liberal talking points.
      White people steal cars too. Get over then skin color.

      Report Post »  
    • Balthazor
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:18pm

      @amyb73

      I’m about to accuse you of being a plant from the left. So what, you‘re accusing people of racism so that the left doesn’t? That doesn’t even make sense. Yes, people of all colors steal cars, but I‘m willing to be a couple year’s salary that the crime statistics show probably 80% or more of those people are all one color. That’s not racism, that’s just reality. Moreover, before you go and accuse me of racism, I don’t believe skin color has diddly-squat to do with anything. But culture, that has to do with everything. And sad though it may be, the black urban culture is innundated with stuff like stealing cars. It‘s not black skin that’s to blame, but black culture very much is.

      Report Post » Balthazor  
    • Disabledvet
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:41pm

      @AMYB73
      Your right white people do steal cars as well, but you need to quit making excuses for blacks they are the ones that are being arrested the most for crimes, so quit whinning blacks are the most likely to steal and if I am wrong why is the prison so full of Blacks, becuase they have no up bringing the families are father less and drugs run rapid in the hood where they live, they are lazy and want OBAMA to give them more of the tax payers money so they do not even have to think about working, they are moochers, they are parasites, and they are OBAMA voters. I can tell you I tired of working my butt off so they can keep their lazy butts on welfare and live off my work.

      Report Post »  
    • THX-1138
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:51pm

      @amyb73

      I‘ll assume you’ve has a Statistics class at some point. If 13% of a given population commits 40% of a specific crime then you can only draw one conclusion; that group commits more of that crime per person than other groups. Or, in plainer language, brothers be snatchin them buckets, yo.

      Enlightened people understand that it’s culture, not color, that dictates this. But, sadly, that culture is embraced by far, far too many blacks (and is encouraged by the Race Pimps like Jackson and Sharpton).

      Report Post » THX-1138  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:58pm

    Nice hoodie Andre. This reminds me of the show “Bait Car”. If you’ve never seen it, check it out.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • marcus_arealius
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:22pm

      I was wondering why the black racists don‘t get all nutzo over shows like ’Bait Car‘ and ’48 hours’. After all 90% of the criminals are ‘their people’ .. Just wondering.

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 4:24pm

      I’ve wondered the same thing.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • macpappy
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:07pm

      Because they know this is the only way they will ever be on TV.

      Report Post » macpappy  
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