FWIW rbbm lengthy article.
A viral “challenge” has led to increases in thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles in recent weeks, and one suburban family was targeted in a crime that was captured on surveillance video.
www.nbcchicago.com
''October 26, 2022
A viral “challenge” has led to increases in thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles in recent weeks, and one suburban family was targeted in a crime that was captured on surveillance video.
In the footage, two men are seen attempting to steal a 2019 Hyundai Tucson SUV in suburban Harvey in September.
Fiorz Vohra says that his sister in law was looking out the window after hearing the commotion on the street when one of the men turned around and pointed a gun at her window.
“It was 20 feet away,” she said. “We were lucky that the man did not shoot through the window. We are very lucky.”
In a similar theft, Allison Moskus says that her 2016 Hyundai Elantra was stolen from the front of her building in Chicago's West Town.
“Everyone I know who has Hyundai’s and Kia’s have been like ‘look out, because I don’t want anybody else to end up in my situation,’” she said. “The steering wheel column was totally ripped apart, and there wasn’t anywhere for me to put my keys when I got to the tow yard where they brought it.”
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'The thefts are part of a growing trend of criminals targeting Hyundai’s manufactured between 2013 and 2021, and Kia’s manufactured between 2011 and 2021, according to NBC 5 Responds.''
A security flaw, exposed and circulated on social media platforms like TikTok, allows thieves to start and steal cars without a key. The vehicles involved do not have a “standard immobilizer” installed, allowing thieves to easily gain access to the steering column and start the car using electronics''