“Kia Boyz” continue to target Kia and Hyundai vehicles in Grand Rapids as trend hits TikTok
Since Might 1, there have been practically 4 thefts a day of distinct Kia and Hyundai automobiles in the city, Grand Rapids law enforcement say.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — They’re named the “Kia Boyz” and they carry on to focus on cars and trucks in West Michigan, particularly 2012 to 2022 Kia Sportage and Optima automobiles, additionally Hyundai motor vehicles with typical key ignitions.
Following finding into the auto with or without the need of power, the intruders dismantle the steering column and override the ignition procedure by power and then travel away.
According to the Grand Rapids Police Division, between May 1 and July 7, there ended up 256 thefts and attempted thefts of Kia’s and Hyundai’s in the Town of Grand Rapids, which is almost 4 a day.
Law enforcement say a group of little ones or young grownups steal the vehicles for entertaining or to then use them to dedicate other crimes and they discover how to do it on social media.
It can be a trend on TikTok across several space codes, including the 616.
The TikTok video clips assortment from men and women driving about with a missing steering wheel column deal with to GRPD chasing down a Kia driver.
Cassandra Ramos of Grand Rapids says an alleged stolen Kia was dropped off in front of her property right away on Tuesday, July 5 and she recorded the come upon on her cell mobile phone.
“I didn’t realize at the time that they ended up armed with a gun and so I just started out recording since I know that Kia’s are currently being stolen all over Grand Rapids,” said Ramos. “I begun recording just to have some type of evidence.”
She suggests an individual dropped off the gray Kia that had a lacking license plate, as perfectly as a broken window.
The steering wheel column protect was even left on the floor. The driver then hopped into a red SUV with multiple passengers that sped off.
She did report the incident to law enforcement, even though this is just not the very first time she has seen the so called “Kia Boyz.”
‘We drove through East Grand Rapids previous night hunting at nice homes and a different team of “Kia Boyz” rode earlier us hanging out the home windows. We know it was them since that is what they do. They cling out the windows of their vehicles, like fifty percent their bodies out. They almost ran a cease indicator and strike us.”
To prevent oneself from getting a target police propose:
- Invest in a steering wheel lock.
- Lock your motor vehicle.
- Make sure the alarm is on.
- Park in well-lit areas or garage.
- Use digicam surveillance devices.
“My nieces upcoming doorway and my son and nephew are afraid of Kia’s and are normally on the lookout,” claimed Ramos. “They see a Kia and they automatically feel it’s stolen.”
A spokesperson for Hyundai despatched 13 ON YOUR Facet the adhering to statement:
“Hyundai Motor The usa is anxious with the rise in neighborhood automobile thefts. The safety and effectively-being of our prospects and the neighborhood is and will remain our prime precedence. These autos fulfill or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Security Benchmarks and engine immobilizers are conventional equipment on all new Hyundai cars. Hyundai consumers that have thoughts can generally speak to the Hyundai Customer Guidance Heart at 800-633-5151.”
Kia did not react to our ask for for remark Thursday.
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