COVINGTON, Ky. — Police are taking steps to stop people from stealing a certain selection of cars. Some models of Kia and Hyundai have been the target of a social media challenge, which police say has led to an increase in stolen cars this past year.
Covington residents Sydney and Amanda Simpson drive a Kia Soul, which luckily hasn’t fallen victim to vehicle theft yet.
“We have a driveway, so our stuff is pretty off the street. And our street’s very quiet,” Sydney Simpson said.
Still, they took the advice of Sydney’s dad, who encouraged them to pick up a free wheel lock from the Covington Police Department.
“We have a car that’s getting stolen, so we figured better be safe than sorry,” she said. “We were actually looking into buying one, so I’m glad we came down here and got one.”
They wasted no time installing the device, which, given some numbers the city has seen, was likely a wise decision.
According to CPD, Covington has had a 39% increase in vehicle thefts in the last year over the previous year. That equates to about 27 or 28 more stolen vehicles. When looking specifically at Kia and Hyundai cars, it’s been a stark 480% increase, said Lt. Justin Bradbury.
“And as we looked at [the increase], we started to ask why. When we did some research, we found out that there was a social media challenge that had been going around that had encouraged people to break into certain kinds of vehicles,” Bradbury said.
The viral “Kia Boys” challenge has shown thieves how to exploit the design of—and more easily steal—Kia vehicles from 2011 to 2021 that use a steel key to turn-start the ignition. Hyundai vehicles from 2011 to 2021 that have a keyed ignition and don’t have an immobilizer have also been targeted.
“Essentially, it makes it easier for the thieves to steal cars without having to do a whole lot of work,” Bradbury said.
CPD reached out to both manufacturers and received about 220 wheel locks to give out for free to Covington residents.
“The more hurdles you put in front of a thief, the less likely your vehicle is going to be targeted for theft. So when they see that club on your steering wheel, they’re already going to be thinking this is less likely a vehicle they’re going to want to try to take,” Bradbury said.
Even though CPD itself likes to use social media for good, Bradbury said content like this challenge is frustrating to officers.
“We have so many people that use it for good things. But then there is that element that is always going to use it for bad where they can,” he said.
The Simpsons said they can’t believe it exists.
“I think it’s the world we live in, I guess. I mean, it’s the digital age. Everything gets shared on the internet, which makes it worse. It is unfortunate though,” Sydney Simpson said.
At least for now, their Soul is safe. People who would otherwise try to steal it, on the other hand, might need to do some searching for theirs.
To receive these wheel locks, drivers must bring proof of their Covington residency and car ownership to the Covington Police Department lobby Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bradbury said he thinks they will go quickly.
Kia and Hyundai are also offering free software updates that solve the vulnerability.
Kia owners can contact the company’s Customer Care team directly at (800) 333-4542 or visit the Kia Anti-Theft web portal. Hyundai owners can call (800) 633-5151 or check their car’s VIN at Hyundai eligible vehicles.
Hyundai also announced that it is partnering with AAA on an insurance coverage option for customers affected by the theft.