Yahoo Movies Nearly 30 vehicle thefts in one week in Lexington is part of TikTok trend, police say
A viral TikTok challenge that encouraged thieves to target Kia and Hyundai vehicles led to an uptick in car thefts in Fayette County in February, the head of the Lexington Police Department’s property crimes division confirmed.
“These kids are starting to do it here locally,” Lt. John Bardin of LPD told the Herald-Leader Wednesday, adding that the trend led to 20 to 25 vehicle thefts in one week in February.
Normally, the department sees anywhere from 35 to 45 stolen vehicle reports in a given month, Bardin said, noting the marked increase in thefts last month.
The viral “KiaBoyz” TikTok trend has reportedly led to a surge in car thefts across the country. Cities such as Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle and Baltimore have all seen surges in the thefts, and in Cleveland 67% of reported car thefts in December were of Kias or Hyundais, Axios reported.
The thefts are possible given a design flaw in 2015 to 2019 Kia and Hyundai models. In response, Kia and Hyundai have rolled out software fixes and are offering it free of charge to owners of those vehicles, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration announced last month.
“We were able to catch up with them quickly” in Lexington, Bardin said, adding that many of the teens behind the thefts are now facing criminal charges.
How to protect your car from being stolen
According to automotive group AAA, many car thefts are crimes of opportunity, meaning thieves will take the path of least resistance. The more barriers you can put in their way, the safer your car will be.
AAA recommends drivers:
1. Remember to lock your vehicle, roll up the windows, remove any valuable items from view and park inside or in a well-lit area.
2. Research which vehicle models are most often targeted by thieves and whether your car is one of them. These include Honda Civics and Accords, Nissan Altimas and Toyota Camrys and Corollas, as well as Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge and GMC trucks.
3. If you own one of the above models, take extra steps to shield your vehicle. Look into installing a car alarm, a vehicle immobilizer that only enables the engine to start with your key or a steering wheel lock. You might also consider motion-activated lighting and a security camera trained on your driveway. A GPS tracker won’t prevent a theft, but may help your recover your vehicle sooner.
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