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SALT LAKE CITY — Police are warning residents with either a Kia or Hyundai that an old and dangerous TikTok challenge has apparently resurfaced locally.
A TikTok challenge in 2021 resulted in a sharp increase in thieves targeting Kia cars made between 2011 to 2021 and Hyundais between 2015 to 2021. The thieves — mainly teenagers — would target Kias and Hyundais that use a key, not a key fob and push-button, hot wire the vehicles and take them on joy rides before dumping them.
In January, techhq.com reported that "thefts of Kias and Hyundais have increased 1,000% since 2020."
Salt Lake City police say from Nov. 23 through Tuesday, 18 car thefts have been reported, in addition to seven attempted thefts. As of Tuesday, four of those vehicles remained missing.
Police say they've noticed an increase in Kia and Hyundai thefts particularly in the Rose Park area between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. As of Wednesday, detectives had limited information on who the thieves are, "but we believe several people are working together," said department spokesman Brent Weisberg.
According to police, the car thieves in Salt Lake City are "smashing in windows, damaging steering columns and ignitions or stealing cars with the key fob left inside." They believe the TikTok challenge is fueling the recent rash of thefts.
Police say using a steering wheel lock is an option for car owners to prevent their vehicles from being taken. In general, Salt Lake police are also reminding all car owners of steps they can take to lower the risk of their vehicles being stolen such as not leaving it running while unattended and not leaving their keys or fobs inside.
