Auto thefts continue to rise in Minneapolis, and the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) said thieves are increasingly using new technology to steal cars without ever needing the owner’s key.

Minneapolis car thefts spike in 2026, St. Paul sees continued decline

According to MPD’s Crime Dashboard, 66 vehicles have been reported stolen in the city since March 20. The dashboard also shows auto thefts are up 26% compared to this time in 2025.

One of those victims is a Minneapolis man named Travis, who shared home surveillance video of his car pulling out of his driveway.

“I seen that car backed out and my keys were still in the house. Already knew someone stole the car,” he said.

He ran to a neighbor’s home, where more camera footage showed “two guys walking through the alley going toward my car.”

He said a family member eventually connected him to people who knew the teens involved.

“He called me back like an hour later, and he was like he figured out who got my car. They were asking for money. They wanted me to give them $1,500 just for them to tell me the location where my car was.”

Travis said the teens sent him photos and videos of the car’s surroundings.

“They were sending me pictures of where the car was parked, what’s around the car.”

He and several relatives spent hours comparing the images to real locations.

“Me and a few other family members and a few friends, we run around and start driving around looking for the car off of the videos that they sent us.”

By 10 p.m. Friday, they found it in an apartment parking lot.

“As soon as I hit the car starter on the car, the car started right up. The first thing was just jump in the car and pull the car up out of there.”

But the damage was extensive, and he said the loss of sentimental items hurt the most.

“They threw out my son’s car seat. They threw out like programs from funerals and stuff. They broke my sunroof. They broke my windshield.”

He said the theft has been hard on his family.

“It’s kind of hard, you know, because I have a 4‑year‑old son. They threw his stuff out. That kind of messed me up.”

According to MPD, non‑Kia and non‑Hyundai vehicles stolen without keys are up nearly 60% compared to this time last year. Kia and Hyundai thefts, where thieves peel or punch the ignition, are also rising.

MPD said the city is also seeing signs of a nationwide trend involving key‑programming devices. These are tools that can reprogram a car to start without the owner’s key. Officers have recovered these devices during recent arrests, including one case involving a 13‑year‑old.

The department says a relatively small group of individuals is responsible for a significant share of auto thefts in the city. MPD also said it does not have a dedicated auto‑theft unit, and that there are fewer property-crime investigators now than in 2020. A new pilot program uses forensic scientists to process stolen vehicles for evidence.

Travis said he gave officers everything he found, the videos, the photos, the social‑media accounts, but felt the department didn’t respond the way he hoped.

“Basically, they didn’t do anything. All they say is they’re juveniles and ain’t too much they could do. Even if they catch them, they lock them up, they’ll get right back out.”

He believes the teens who stole his car have real technical skill.

“What I seen how y’all started my car and everything like that, y’all could really be out here and take that and really make some good money. Plenty of people out here that lost their car keys. You could be making hundreds of dollars programming car keys to people.”

He said the experience has changed how he lives.

“I’m definitely nervous. Now I gotta move different. Make sure my car locked up at night, make sure it’s safe, upgrade my security a little bit more.”

He’s keeping the car at a relative’s house until he can repair the damage.

“I didn’t feel safe. They took my garage keys and everything out of the car.”

Travis said he hopes the teens who stole his car understand the impact on families.

“People have kids, people have family out here. People go out every day, they work. If they came to me and was like hey, we need a few dollars, I’ll give you a few dollars instead of coming and just taking my car that I gotta get to work and get my son to day care.”

He also hopes they choose a different path.

“Just find something else to do with your time,” he said. “Something really bad could happen to y’all.”

The Minneapolis Police Department provided the following responses to KSTP’s questions:

Are the recent increases concentrated in any specific precincts or neighborhoods?

• We are compiling data that will likely be available tomorrow. Auto thefts are occurring in all five precincts with the largest recent increase occurring in the Second Precinct.

Is MPD able to share the percentage of auto‑theft cases that have been solved or cleared so far this year?

• That will need to be a data request. I will see what I can find out. 

Does MPD have any updated prevention guidance for residents, especially with the rise in key‑programming technology?

• Car manufacturers are the best source for prevention guidance related to newer technologies used to steal vehicles. In addition to locking your vehicle, removing valuables from plain sight, never leaving a key fob inside or near your vehicle, and never leaving a vehicle running unoccupied, manufacturers also recommend storing key fobs in RFID-blocking cases and keeping them away from doors and windows.

What is the department’s response to people who feel they need to track down their own stolen vehicles, or who feel MPD isn’t doing enough to help them recover their cars?

• Auto theft has a significant impact on victims, and having a vehicle stolen is frustrating and personal. To date, there have been approximately 1,400 auto thefts, compared to 2,190 during the same period in 2023. While that represents a meaningful decline, auto theft remains an ongoing concern.
• Many stolen vehicles are recovered, and both investigators and patrol officers are actively working to address these cases alongside other public safety priorities. Technology has played an important role. License Plate Readers, both fixed and mobile units in squad cars, have helped officers locate stolen vehicles and, in some cases, make arrests.
• We recognize that some vehicle owners have access to tracking technology and may be able to provide real-time location information. That information can be valuable to officers. However, we strongly urge individuals not to approach or attempt to recover their vehicle on their own.
• If a stolen vehicle is located and occupied, individuals should not approach and should call 911 immediately. If the vehicle is unoccupied, they should notify police of its location and wait for officers to respond. For safety and evidentiary reasons, the vehicle should not be moved until it has been officially reported as recovered.

Editor’s note: The video says the victim’s car was stolen on Saturday, but it was actually Friday.