Atlanta, GA

Impact of TikTok’s ‘Kia Boyz’ trend on Kia, Hyundai car thefts in Atlanta

Published

1 year ago

February 22, 2023

Impact of TikTok’s ‘Kia Boyz’ trend on Kia, Hyundai car thefts in Atlanta

TikTok automotive theft pattern forces two producers to make adjustments

A TikTok pattern continues to trigger hassle for police and sure automotive homeowners in metro Atlanta. How-to movies posted to the app present thieves tips on how to steal sure Kia and Hyundai automobiles with easy instruments. Greater than 8 million automobiles are estimated to be in danger.

ATLANTA – A TikTok pattern continues to trigger hassle for police in metro Atlanta.

How-to movies on the social media platform present thieves tips on how to steal sure Kia and Hyundai automobiles.

Because the Kia and Hyundai theft problem kicked off final summer time, Atlanta Police say these automotive manufacturers account for a substantial portion of their circumstances.

To date this yr, APD says there’s a almost 500% enhance in comparison with the identical seven-week interval final yr.

“In lower than 5 minutes, he broke in, Youtubed or TikToked tips on how to steal my Kia and made away with it,” mentioned Olivia Garner.

Garner believes her 2014 Kia Rio was focused by thieves who’re a part of a viral social media pattern who use the hashtag: “Kia Boyz.”

The TikTok movies are particular how-to guides that present folks tips on how to steal.

The targets are sure Kia and Hyundai automobiles that use a key, not push begin automobiles.

The fashions concerned lack digital immobilizers and a USB cable can be utilized to bypass the ignition system.

The one that stole Garner’s automotive this manner, totaled it.

“He did $9 grand of harm to my automotive in lower than two days and made it a complete loss,” she mentioned.

“It is positively a recreation to them,” mentioned Lt. Justin Strom with Atlanta Police.

Strom is from APD’s Auto Theft Unit.

In response to numbers FOX 5 obtained, thieves stole greater than 3 times as many Kia and Hyundai automobiles in Atlanta in 2022 than in 2021.

“That takes away time from different crimes that we could possibly be attempting to unravel,” Lt. Strom mentioned.

APD says it has arrested upwards of 100 folks in connection to the crimes and roughly 90% of these are youngsters underneath 18.

To try to forestall thefts, Hyundai and Kia are updating software program that may require the important thing to be within the ignition to activate. The updates will probably be achieved on the vendor in phases over the approaching months.

“It is simply unlucky that that is turning into such a rash, brazen incident,” Garner mentioned.

APD will quickly hand out steering wheel locks supplied by the automakers for affected vehicles.

The U.S. Division of Transportation says the social media problem has not simply resulted in stolen automobiles, but in addition at the very least 14 crashes and eight deaths.

Kia homeowners with questions could contact our Buyer Care workforce instantly at 1-800-333-4542 (4KIA). As well as, a particular part of the Proprietor’s Portal at Kia.com has been revealed for homeowners to analysis software program improve eligibility and availability, and obtain extra info on ordering a steering wheel lock if relevant at https://homeowners.kia.com/us/en/kia-owner-portal.html/.

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Atlanta, GA

Flights impacted by Hurricane Beryl, including to/from Atlanta

Published

11 mins ago

July 8, 2024

Press Room

Flights impacted by Hurricane Beryl, including to/from Atlanta

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The air traffic control tower at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) on September 10, 2022. (Photo by Daniel SLIM / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images)

ATLANTA – People traveling from Texas to Atlanta or Atlanta to Texas today by airplane may be impacted by Hurricane Beryl.

Thousands of flights have been delayed or canceled within, into, or out of the U.S. because of the hurricane, according to FlightAware.com.

Beryl made landfall early this morning in Texas as a Category 1 hurricane.

As of 10 a.m. ET, there have been more than 1,800 cancelations and 17,676 delays.

United Airlines has the most cancelations, with more than 400, or 14% of the airline’s total schedule.

Southwest Airlines has canceled more than 260 flights.

Regional airline Mesa Airlines has canceled 198 flights, and CommuteAir has canceled 143.

American Airlines has canceled 51, Spirit has canceled 45, and Delta has canceled 28.

Most of the cancelations are centered around Texas, especially at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, which has seen more than 520 cancelations so far.

William P. Hobby Airport in Houston has had more than 120 flights canceled and 5 flights delayed. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport shows 28 canceled flights and 75 delayed flights.

At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, there have been a total of 42 flights canceled so far today and 138 flights delayed as of this writing, according to FlightAware.com.

Atlanta airport prepares for end of Fourth of July holiday rush

The majority of those canceled/delayed are flights from/to the airports in Texas.

United, Southwest, Frontier, Spirit and Atlanta-based Delta Airlines have issued travel advisories.

Hurricane Beryl is expected to turn to the northeast and increase in speed Monday night and Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. The storm’s center is expected to move over eastern Texas on Monday and through the lower Mississippi Valley and into the Ohio Valley on Tuesday and Wednesday. It is expected to weaken to a tropical depression by Tuesday.

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Atlanta, GA

Braves News: Series Win over Phillies, All-Star Teams Announced, More

Published

7 hours ago

July 8, 2024

Press Room

Braves News: Series Win over Phillies, All-Star Teams Announced, More

The Braves came into this weekend with a clear need to get a series win against the Phillies.

And that is exactly what they did.

Even more importantly, they found success through one of their best offensive stretches of the season. For only the second time this season, Atlanta had three straight games with 5+ runs and 2+ home runs. And the result is a needed series win against the best team in the National League, including a statement win against one of the best arms in the National League in Ranger Suarez.

But the success must continue, because over the next two weeks, the Braves have some highly significant games that could impact playoff positioning down the line. This includes games on the road against Arizona and San Diego and then right after the All-Star Break against St. Louis. If the Braves can have a successful run over the next 10 games, and especially with Philadelphia having a very tough July schedule, Atlanta could really strengthen its playoff positioning as the season progresses.

Braves News

The 2024 All-Star Teams were announced, and Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, and Marcell Ozuna were selected to the NL Squad.

Justin Toscano of the AJC talked with Reynaldo Lopez about his tremendous season so far.

David Obrien discussed while all three Braves All-Stars are certainly deserving, it also seems valid to point out none of them were expected to be in this position before the season.

MLB News

The 2024 All-Star rosters were announced with plenty of fresh faces being rewarded for impressive seasons.

Paul Skenes is one of 32 players making the All-Star roster for the first time.

Pete Alonso will once again enter the 2024 Home Run Derby.

As we are now in July and the MLB Trade Deadline less than a month away, the Yankees are the latest team to be connected with interest in Garrett Crochet.

The Phillies seem to have interest in Athletics slugger Brent Rooker.

Former Brave Kevin Pillar suggested that 2024 could likely be his last season.

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