Kia, Hyundai car thefts spur warning from Cook County Sheriff

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart is warning residents of a “dramatic rise” in thefts of sure Kia and Hyundai automobiles throughout the county and urging that drivers of those vehicles take additional steps to mitigate the chance, in keeping with an announcement.

There have been 642 reported thefts of Kia and Hyundai automobiles in Cook County since July 1 in contrast with 74 throughout the identical time-frame final year, in keeping with the assertion. The 767% improve can be on development with will increase in reported thefts in different cities throughout the county.

“This is an extremely concerning trend and the public needs to know so they can be vigilant in protecting themselves,” Dart stated. “The sheriff’s office will continue to work closely with other law enforcement agencies and engage automakers to reduce dangerous car thefts and carjackings in Cook County.”

The elevated thefts are presumably related to movies shared on social media that present tips on how to begin these vehicles and not using a key, the assertion stated. Unoccupied automobiles that require a bodily key and never a begin button are being focused.

Owners of Kias and Hyundais ought to take into account taking steps to place themselves at much less threat for theft, resembling putting in kill switches that make the automobile inoperable and not using a key, car alarms with movement detection, steering wheel locking gadgets or automobile monitoring methods, in keeping with the assertion.

Owners can even fill out a consent form and e mail it to the sheriff’s office at [email protected] to permit regulation enforcement to entry location information for the car from the respective car company if the car has been taken and the knowledge is on the market. Access to this info may also help regulation enforcement recuperate the car. Owners who’ve submitted the shape can even get stickers to show on their vehicles that will say the automobile will be tracked. The stickers will be discovered at any courthouse within the county.

Additionally, homeowners ought to attempt to park in a storage or well-lit and high-traffic areas.