In a string of events that rattled the quiet city of Kyle, Texas, three teenagers triggered an early morning police chase that ended with multiple parked vehicles being hit and the adolescents attempting to flee on foot. According to KVUE, police apprehended 18-year-old Jeremy Christian Cardenas, 17-year-old Javier Alejandro Cortez Quintero, and a 13-year-old, all alleged to have stolen a 2019 Hyundai Elantra before leading officers on the chase on Feb. 10.
The incident took place around 4:20 a.m. when the Kyle Police Department noticed an the vehicle that had been reported stolen from the Aidan Apartments on Amberwood South. The attempt to pull over the Hyundai resulted in a pursuit that concluded on Blue Meadow Drive in Austin, leaving behind a trail of damaged stationary vehicles. The driver and passengers then tried to escape by foot, yet law enforcement was quick to detain three of the four individuals involved, with warrants currently out for the fourth, a 16-year-old from Austin.
Cardenas and Quintero are facing an array of charges that include Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity. CBS Austin reports that this episode is only a part of a concerning trend, as Austin police have reported a staggering increase in thefts of Kias and Hyundais, comparing the 2,370 thefts in 2023 to the mere 349 in 2022 — a jump close to 700%.
In the wake of this significant uptick in vehicle thefts, the Kyle Police Department is stepping in to aid local residents. Owners of certain Hyundai and Kia models can receive a complimentary steering wheel lock to help protect their cars from thieves. This offer extends throughout regular business hours at the Kyle Public Safety Center, and Hyundai has also committed to reimbursing those who've already purchased a lock out of their own pockets. Information on the reimbursement process can be acquired by contacting the provided helpline number.
The police are urging anyone with information about the Feb. 10 theft to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously to the Hays County Crime Stoppers by phone, online, or through the P3 Tips app. The Kyle community is on high alert, and the authorities are determined to curb the trend of vehicle thefts and bring those responsible to justice.
