The Worcester Police Department is spreading the word about a new trend, called the "TikTok Kia Challenge," that's leading to a spike in car thefts across the city. Thieves are targeting specific Hyundai and Kia models because of a security glitch publicized on the social media platform.
Since the beginning of November last year, the count is up to 24 Hyundais and 12 Kias swiped, making these brands the victims in a full quarter of all car thefts during this period, according to a Facebook post from the department. The common breadwinner of the thefts, the Hyundai Elantra, has been stolen so often that it makes up 34% of these incidents. These crimes are not confined to any single neighborhood, but Chandler and Austin St. as well as downtown's Front and Commercial St., have become hot spots, where thefts are especially prevalent.
Officials are urging residents to stay vigilant and adopt several preventive measures to safeguard their vehicles. Recommendations include contacting local dealerships for software updates or retrofit kits, using steering wheel locks, parking in well-lit areas, installing battery disconnect or kill switches, ensuring vehicles are locked up tight, and incorporating GPS tracking devices.
Furthermore, the situation has got local car owners on high alert as they rush to secure their vehicles against this viral mischief. The Worcester Police shared several deterrents on their Facebook page, outlining specific steps the community can take to prevent these thefts. With a series of thefts already on the books, residents are taking note – and hopefully, action to keep their wheels securely parked where they belong.
