Hyundai, Kia owners still getting ‘Tik-Tokked’

The spike in greater Riverdale drivers having their Hyundai and Kia vehicles and parts stolen has been no great secret. But a recent campaign by the 50th Precinct may actually point to the cause.

Crime prevention officer Rasha Jamsheer handed out flyers last week promoting ways to prevent auto theft and other vehicle-related crimes. Four words on those flyers explains the rash of crimes related to those two specific types of cars: “Tik-Tok Auto Theft Challenge.”

About a year since a group calling themselves the “Kia boys” recorded and posted on the social media platform Tik-Tok a challenge to inspire young teens and adults to steal cars, particularly 2011 through 2021 Kia and Hyundai models, the number of such crimes have skyrocketed in New York City.

The New York Police Department reported in late March that 633 Kias and Hyundais have been stolen since Jan. 1, compared to the 111 that were stolen last year during the same period of time.

Nevertheless it has not stopped the challenge from prevailing across the nation and New York. Mayor Eric Adams spoke against the challenge this March, saying “stealing a car, going on a joy ride, speeding through the streets, that is not a game.”

Adams and New York City Corp. Counsel Sylvia Hinds-Radix announced April 7 they were filing suit against Kia and Hyundai for “refusing to safeguard vehicles.”

“We are not going to sit idly by while automakers turn a blind eye to safety and make it easy for criminals to prey on New Yorkers,” said the mayor in a press release. “New Yorkers count on their Kia and Hyundai automobiles to earn a living, get to and from work, transport their children and elderly family members, and live their daily lives.

“We have the right to expect that those cars have standard anti-theft measures — measures which certain Kia and Hyundai cars lack. We’re going to hold Kia and Hyundai accountable for the public nuisance they’ve created and protect New Yorkers’ cars.”

Some websites that have figured how the perps stole the cars by just using a screwdriver and a USB phone charger. Once the teen is able to get the car started, he goes on a joy ride with his friends, and in some cases they steal multiple cars and driving erratically. One video showed a person driving a stolen Hyundai on a sidewalk toward a group of students at a school. In another video a group of Kia boys sit outside the car windows as their car swerves past a red light.

Cars without engine immobilizers or cars that required a mechanical key were prime for the taking by these “Tik-Tokkers.” Eventually so many cars were taken that just this February Hyundai introduced free-anti theft software upgrades.

With the amount of reported stolen Kias and Hyundais going up almost six times, what can people do?

According to the flyers handed out by the Crime Prevention Unit there are ways to combat this challenge and general auto theft crimes.

Among these tips are to always turn off the ignition and remove your keys, close all windows, lock all doors, park in well-lit areas with high traffic, use a vehicle steering lock, and install a kill switch. The flyer also advertised the NYPD’s Crime Prevention Division’s anti-theft programs.