Teen ‘Kia Boyz’ thieves target Kia, Hyundai cars in Atlanta

ATLANTA, Ga. (CBS46) – Kia and Hyundai drivers are on excessive alert in Atlanta fearing youngsters will steal their autos.

Richard Eldredge, a 2019 Kia Soul proprietor, was shocked when a gaggle of boys stole his “dad automobile” out of his gated midtown Atlanta house parking storage.

“You’re not going to search out something of worth. You’re going to search out quick meals napkins and my automobile registration, so it was surprising to me to search out out my locked car was stolen,” stated Eldredge.

Surveillance video reveals a gaggle of 4 boys strolling as much as Eldredge’s automobile round 11 p.m. on July 7. Eldredge stated a second Kia within the parking storage was damaged into and a 3rd Kia parked down the road was additionally stolen that night time.

Eldredge believes the incident is the newest occasion of a nationwide development.

Legislation enforcement companies in cities like Milwaukee, Cincinnati, and St. Paul have shared warnings about younger individuals stealing Kia fashions 2012 and newer and Hyundai fashions 2015 and newer.

The teenage thieves share movies of driving the stolen vehicles on social media utilizing the hashtag #kiaboyz.

“These Kia’s are being taken everywhere in the nation,” stated Eldredge. “These are younger boys – I might be shocked if they may shave not to mention have a driver’s license on the age they’re. It’s very disturbing younger individuals are concerned on this.”

St. Paul, Minnesota is among the areas hit hardest by Kia crimes. Officers report a 1300% enhance in Kia thefts.

“The Kia’s and Hyundai’s have, what I name, a design flaw that permits them to be stolen simpler,” stated Ramsey County Undersheriff Mike Martin. “Inside seconds, these vehicles could be compromised and be began with a USB port or perhaps a pocket knife.”

Atlanta police didn’t reply when requested a few attainable uptick in Kia or Hyundai thefts.

Nonetheless, Kia America instructed CBS46, “Kia America is conscious of the rise in car thefts of a subset of trim stage autos in your space.”

Hyundai additionally acknowledged an general enhance in crime, telling CBS46, “Hyundai Motor America is worried with the rise in native auto thefts. The security and well-being of our clients and the group is and can stay our prime precedence.”

New 2022 Kia fashions and new Hyundai fashions have engine immobilizers. Nonetheless, Eldredge’s 2019 car doesn’t make the reduce. Whereas paying lots of of {dollars} in repairs, he’s asking the automobile firm to step up and assist retrofit his automobile with an immobilizer too.

Kia and Hyundai drivers ought to park in well-lit areas and think about putting in audible alarms, immobilizers, steering wheel locks, and monitoring techniques.

Each Kia and Hyundai stated all autos on the market within the U.S. meet or exceed Federal Motor Automobile Security Requirements.

Kia clients with questions ought to contact the Shopper Help Heart straight at 1-800-333-4542 (4Kia).

Hyundai clients with questions ought to contact the Hyundai Shopper Help Heart at 800-633-5151.

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