Kia, Hyundai thefts continue to plague local police (VIDEO)

LORAIN – A social media trend continues to cause havoc for local police departments. Kias and Hyundais in Lorain and Elyria continue to be targeted by juveniles seeking a quick ride, thanks to a software glitch that leaves the cars especially vulnerable, police said. Despite a now 2-year-old recall that can fix the malfunction, the cars are still targets. TikTok videos show teens how to steal certain model-year Hyundais and Kias using little more than a screwdriver and a USB, and peer pressure can push younger kids to start stealing vehicles to try to fit in with friends, Lorain Detective Sanders Sanchez said. "It started with a single group, and then that group, they acquired friends, (taught) them how to do it … They become the peer pressure for those kids and then those kids build up the courage to actually go out and start stealing," Sanchez said. The bulk of juveniles suspected of being involved in the crimes are 13 to 17 years old, Sanchez said. They have dubbed themselves "Kia Boyz," he said. Sometimes, juveniles involved start as lookouts, or break the window of the vehicle but do not tamper with the ignition until they become more adept, he said. Often, the teens involved post videos of their thefts and subsequent joy ride to social media. Since 2022, Lorain police have investigated more than 200 thefts or attempted thefts of the targeted vehicles, Sanchez said, including nearly 50 this year alone. The recall to fix the malfunction that allows for the cars to be easily stolen was released in 2023, but individual owners or smaller used-car dealers may not have taken their vehicles in to the dealership for the repairs, Sanchez said, leaving many still vulnerable. And even those that have had the recall may still have their windows brokem out or other damage done by kids attempting to steal them, he said. "We have had multiple people in the city that their cars been stolen multiple times," Sanchez said. He recalled one vehicle was taken three separate times across several years, and two out of the three times it was taken to a gun shop in North Ridgeville in an attempt to break into the shop there. In a separate incident in July, two teens were charged after crashing a stolen Kia into the B&D Shooting Range in South Lorain. The pair reportedly stole 16 firearms, which were recovered later that day. For more of the teens who steal, or attempt to steal the cars, they are taken on a joyride from one city to another, Sanchez said. But for others, they are a means to an end. "The problem is (you) don't know what their intentions are," Sanchez said. "If this person has an intention of committing another crime, they say 'well we know we want to commit this crime, how can we get there' and they also have some knowledge on how to steal a Hyundai or Kia, now you have a vehicle they can find in essentially any neighborhood and … go commit that crime." He estimated that from 2022 to 2024, Lorain police have seen well over 200 reports of stolen Kias or Hyundais in the city — and anticipated that number could crest 300 by the end of this year. Lorain is not alone in its continued problem with the foreign vehicles being stolen. In Elyria, about a dozen have been damaged or stolen this year, Capt. Bill Lantz said. Also like Lorain, most of the suspects in those thefts or attempts are juveniles who are targeting apartment complexes with large parking lots and limited security or lighting. "In several cases, suspects broke a rear window to access the vehicle and then tampered with the steering column and ignition system in an attempt to start the car," Lantz said. "These actions are consistent with methods that have been widely shared across social media platforms." Four of those teens have since been charged in juvenile court with auto theft and criminal damaging, he said. "We believe these individuals and their associates are responsible for multiple related offenses within the city," he said. Beyond taking impacted vehicles in for the manufacturer's recall, Lantz and Sanchez suggest owners get anti-theft steering wheel locks to deter would-be thieves. Elyria police offers free wheel locks to residents. The manufacturer recalls are available for model years 2011-2021 with twist-to-start ignition systems. Recall updates are completed at no cost to the vehicle owner. Lorain police has also increased patrols in areas where prior thefts have occurred, Sanchez said, and are enforcing curfew for juveniles to deter further thefts. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.