39 Vehicles Stolen Wednesday In Pierce County: PCSD

PIERCE COUNTY, WA — Pierce County deputies fielded almost 40 reports of stolen vehicles on Wednesday alone, and about half were Hyundai and Kia models that are especially vulnerable to theft, according to police.

Similar trends have been seen in Seattle and across the nation after videos on TikTok and other social media platforms illustrated how to exploit a vulnerability in models manufactured between 2011 and 2021 with standard, metal key ignitions.

"Experienced thieves and juveniles alike have learned how to start these vehicles without a key, thanks to videos circulating on social media," Pierce County officials wrote Thursday. "Thieves will break your window, pop off the steering column, start your car using nothing more than a USB cable, and will be gone in under a minute."

Pierce County investigators encourage drivers with cars fitting the description to take steps to prevent theft, including utilizing anti-theft devices like a steering wheel lock.

Earlier in the month, Pierce County's auto theft task force released a list of the most commonly stolen vehicles through October, which included several older model Fords and Hondas, along with newer Hyundais and Kias.