Spike In Car Thefts In Worcester Prompts Police Warning

WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester Police Department is advising residents of a series of motor vehicle thefts in the city.

There have been 10 reported vehicle thefts in Worcester since July, according to police. Eight of the break-ins have involved Kia models, while two have involved Hyundai models. Worcester police said that offenders are exploiting a security vulnerability in certain vehicle models, which allows them to bypass the ignition system and steal the vehicle.

“In most cases, suspects gain entry by either entering an unlocked vehicle or breaking a window,” wrote WPD in a news release. “ Once inside, they tamper with the steering column and ignition system in an attempt to start the vehicle.”

Many of the attempts are unsuccessful, but they may result in significant damage to the vehicle, police said.

Police said they believe the incidents are happening overnight or in the early morning hours. There has also been a recent cluster in the area of Main Street and Elm Street, police said.

Police recommend the following to help protect your vehicle:

• Contact your local dealership to determine if your vehicle is eligible for a software update or retrofit kit
• Use a steering wheel lock
• Park your vehicle in well-lit areas
• Install a battery disconnect switch to prevent unauthorized ignition
• Install a kill switch to disable the ignition system
• Lock doors and close all windows to secure your vehicle
• Install a GPS tracking device for location monitoring
• Report any suspicious activity to the police

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