Crime & Safety
Free Steering Wheel Locks Available For Hyundai Owners In Springfield
The West Springfield District Station is distributing free steering wheel locks to residents who own or lease certain Hyundai models.
SPRINGFIELD, VA — The West Springfield District Police Station is partnering with Hyundai Motor America to distribute free steering wheel locks to residents who own or lease Hyundai models without push-button ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft devices.
Residents who bring their Hyundai's current registration to the front desk of the West Springfield District Station at 6140 Rolling Rd. in Springfield will be provided with a free steering wheel lock. The wheel locks are being offered on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
Police are distributing the steering wheel locks in response to an increase in thefts targeting Hyundai vehicles, which are now getting stolen at nearly twice the rate of the rest of the auto industry. The increase in thefts is partly due to a "TikTok challenge" that shows how to steal Hyundai cars using a USB charging cord, according to police.
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Thieves are targeting Hyundai and Kai models without push-button ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft devices. These electronic immobilizer features are standard equipment in most other vehicles.
The police station has reached out to Kia and is waiting on the car manufacturer to provide a supply of steering wheel locks. The station plans to host a Kia event once the steering wheel locks come in.
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Hyundai and Kia are the largest and second-largest car manufacturers in South Korea. Hyundai owns 33.7 percent of Kia.
Earlier this month, Hyundai and Kia also began offering a free software update for about 1 million vehicles that will prevent the vehicles from starting using the method of theft popularized by the TikTok challenge.
Fairfax County held a one-day steering wheel lock distribution event in early February at the Lorton Community Center. The McLean District Station is planning a one-day wheel lock distribution event on Saturday, March 4.
Residents can contact Master Police Officer Anthony Capizzi of the West Springfield District Station at Anthony.Capizzi@fairfaxcounty.gov, or 703-277-2363 if they have questions about the distribution of the free steering wheel locks.
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