TikTok trend blamed for rash of recent car vandalism and theft in Rice Lake | Crime and Courts
RICE LAKE (WQOW) – Rice Lake police say a TikTok trend is to blame for a the latest increase in vandalism and theft of Kia automobiles.
In excess of the weekend, the Rice Lake Law enforcement Division responded to 3 grievances, all of them involving Kias. Two vehicles had been stolen and one was tampered with.
“I consider it has a thing to do with TikTok,” explained Rice Lake Police Captain Matthew Bach. “You will find been some films on TikTok in regards to how to mess with a Kia or steal a Kia.”
On TikTok and YouTube, viral films are displaying individuals how to crack into Kia cars and trucks and instructing viewers on how to start them with a USB cable.
It’s identified as the “Kia Obstacle.”
“Appears like they have some sort of system in the steering column that could be manipulated with a USB, so they just have to take away plastic off the heart console guiding the steering wheel and can use a USB to then start the vehicle and travel absent,” Bach reported.
Capt. Bach reported they think the motor vehicles have been stolen and pushed absent by people today from Rice Lake for the reason that they had been stolen inside city limitations and recovered inside of city limitations all within just a several hours.
Even so, law enforcement reported there are no suspects at this time.
“I assume it appeals to youth, so if I experienced to guess and make an assumption, this is likely a younger man or woman or younger persons who fully commited these crimes,” Bach explained.
Capt. Bach adds in all a few incidents, the Kias were unlocked.
“I feel that experienced these cars been locked, it can be a great deal a lot less very likely that they would have been stolen. Also, park in a lighted place and have a dwelling protection system. They are somewhat affordable and rather reliable at present.”
Right here is a entire assertion despatched to Information 18 from Kia:
“Kia America is knowledgeable of the rise in automobile thefts of a subset of trim amount automobiles in your area. As of the latest 2022 Product Year, all Kia vehicles have an motor immobilizer equipped as normal. All Kia cars for sale in the U.S. meet up with or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Security Criteria. Kia buyers with concerns with regards to their Kia auto need to get hold of the Buyer Assistance Centre straight at 1-800-333-4542 (4Kia).”
Information 18 arrived at out to many other spot law enforcement departments like Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Altoona, and Menomonie and they all claimed they have not seen a comparable dilemma.
Capt. Bach said he has viewed this issue in Milwaukee however and that if you have any information about the Rice Lake cases, you can anonymously contact or textual content the Barron County Sheriff’s Office environment tipline and they will relay the facts back to the law enforcement.
Simply call: 1-800-532-9008
Text: Text BCTIPS to 847411 (tip411)
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