An anti-theft locking bolt assembly is disclosed. The assembly comprises an anti-theft bolt threadedly attachable to an article to be protected, a bolt cap snugly fitting into a bore on the head of the anti-theft bolt, a lock cylinder housing rotatably connected to the head of the anti-theft bolt via one or more ball bearings, the lock cylinder housing configured to cover the bolt cap and a locking cylinder and to provide means to prevent removal of the bolt cap. The anti-theft locking bolt assembly is suitable to lock a vehicle wheel and also to replace a spark plug of an combust engine to prevent unauthorized use of the vehicle.