Crime & Safety
Police See Rise In Kia, Hyundai Thefts Across Massachusetts
"They smash open the steering column, and they are able to do some trickery to get the engine started without a key," explained Ryan Walsh.
April 25, 2023
SPRINGFIELD - A warning for Kia and Hyundai owners in Massachusetts, you may want to keep your vehicles inside. Police across the state are seeing a rise in thefts from these car makers.
Find out what's happening in Bostonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Springfield Police say 12 Kias and Hyundais were stolen in April alone, and another dozen were broken into. It's happening in certain Hyundai models from 2015 to 2020, and certain Kia vehicles from 2010 to 2020. These vehicles lack an immobilizer. The part tells your car that the key in the ignition is the one that belongs to your car. Thieves have been stealing these cars with just a USB cord.
"They smash open the steering column, and they are able to do some trickery to get the engine started without a key," explained Ryan Walsh with Springfield Police.
Find out what's happening in Bostonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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