Kias and Hyundais now most stolen cars in Minneapolis, data shows

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – New knowledge reveals starting within the spring of this 12 months, Kias grew to become the automotive stolen most frequently in Minneapolis.

The Minneapolis Police Division advised FOX 9 that the nationwide pattern of Kia and Hyundai thefts has reached town. Authorities have mentioned the automobiles are simpler to steal as a result of they lack an digital safety machine referred to as an engine immobilizer, making them simpler to begin with no key.

Greater than 3,000 automobiles have been reported stolen in Minneapolis this 12 months, together with 432 Kias and 368 Hyundais. Officers are warning folks to do what they’ll to guard their autos as a result of this 12 months, a mean of 13 automobiles are stolen every day.

Minneapolis police supplied FOX 9 with new knowledge displaying beginning within the second quarter of 2022 (April by July), Kias grew to become the automobile make that was stolen most frequently. To start out off the third quarter of the 12 months, Kias and Hyundais have been stolen extra usually than every other make.

Previous to this spring, Hondas, Toyotas, Chevys, and Fords have been the commonest automobiles stolen in Minneapolis. However as phrase unfold on social media this 12 months about how straightforward Kias and Hyundais are to steal, they now account for extra automotive thefts.

It has been almost two months since FOX 9 first introduced you the story of Lynda Pierce and her daughter, Theresa Jones. Pierce’s Kia Soul was stolen exterior her Minneapolis residence in broad daylight.

The automotive was later recovered in St. Paul in late June, however Pierce’s story has an unlucky replace: Final week, the identical Kia was stolen off the identical road. Pierce has now paid two $500 deductibles, plus the fee to restore the automotive after the primary incident, a grand complete of a minimum of $1,200 between the 2 incidents. The automotive has not but been discovered.

RAW DATA: Click on right here to view 2021 and 2022 stats on automotive thefts in Minneapolis

“Now right here we’re once more,” Pierce advised FOX 9 in an interview. “I do not really feel any much less invaded. The truth is, I even really feel extra so.”

Pierce lives close to fifteenth and Park Avenue within the Elliott Park neighborhood, however Minneapolis police knowledge reveals the Whittier neighborhood really has had essentially the most stolen Kias and Hyundais over the past 12 months and a half. Throughout that point interval, the third precinct has had essentially the most Kia and Hyundai thefts, and essentially the most automotive thefts total.

These are the highest 10 neighborhoods for Kia and Hyundai thefts because the starting of 2021: Whittier, Marcy Holmes, Longfellow, Powderhorn Park, Lowry Hill East, Prospect Park – East River Street, Hiawatha, Central, Standish and South Uptown.

Christopher Uggen, a professor of sociology, regulation and public affairs on the College of Minnesota, research nationwide crime patterns, so FOX 9 requested him to assist us dig deeper into why this retains occurring. He mentioned total, know-how has really made automobiles harder to steal over the previous few a long time, so this pattern with Kias and Hyundais is atypical.

Legislation enforcement officers have advised us prior to now that as a result of the offenders are usually teenagers, there are repeat offenses and police’s fingers are tied. Police have additionally mentioned these thefts have grow to be a “standing image” with teenagers posting movies stealing automobiles on social media and doing donuts in entrance of police which are unable to chase them attributable to division insurance policies.

St. Paul PD: Kia thefts up 1,300%, Hyundai thefts up 584% in 2022

“A small variety of individuals are doing a big share of the crimes,” Uggen defined. “Once we see the statistics or the massive proportion improve over time, for instance, we predict, ‘Oh my goodness, youth are actually going wild and appearing out, and so on.’ And that is not the case in any respect. We all know that delinquency is approach down in recent times total.”

Uggen mentioned there is a hesitancy to incarcerate teenagers normally and a hesitancy to incarcerate folks for non-violent crimes and property crimes. For automotive thefts specifically, he mentioned it’s tough to search out the correct sentencing or placement choices.

“One of many unhealthy issues that occurs when youth are incarcerated is that they lose attachment to high school. It makes them much less more likely to graduate, much less more likely to go on to greater training,” he defined.

The COVID-19 pandemic additionally exacerbated the issue, Uggen defined, with one section of youngsters at residence distanced-learning and one other section of youngsters left fully unsupervised.

“I believe the type of recklessness or fearlessness or defiance that we’re seeing with some youth is partly a product of that they’ve been a lot kind of left to their very own units,” Uggen mentioned.

However these thefts additionally imply folks like Pierce can’t exit and purchase groceries or drive to the physician’s workplace 35 miles away.

“Each place I need to go I’ve to drive,” she mentioned. “There isn’t any motive to do that. There’s simply none. What’s a joyride?”

Right here’s the complete listing of ideas Minneapolis police despatched FOX 9:

It doesn’t matter what you drive, severely take into account the next steps to guard your automobile from auto theft.  

1. Use an anti-theft machine like a steering wheel lock.
2. Lock your doorways.
3. Take your keys or fob with you.  Practically 1/3 of all auto thefts resulted from keys being left within the automobile.  This contains any spare keys or fobs.
4. Shut the home windows.
5. Park in well-lit areas.
6. Set up an audible alarm system.
7. Set up a automobile immobilizer system.
8. Set up a monitoring system or use a monitoring app with a supported machine.
9. In case your automobile is stolen, contact the police instantly by calling 911. Please be ready to offer the next info:
   The 12 months, make, mannequin, and colour of the automobile
   License plate quantity
   Car Identification Quantity (additionally referred to as the “VIN”)
   Any traits distinctive to your automobile
   
10. The 12 months, make, mannequin, and colour of the automobile
11. License plate quantity
12. Car Identification Quantity (additionally referred to as the “VIN”)
13. Any traits distinctive to your automobile
14. You will additionally need to let your insurance coverage firm know inside 24 hours in case your automobile has been stolen.

Taking just a few easy precautions might assist you to cut back the probabilities of your automobile being stolen.