Police Warn Stolen Kias, Hyundais Fuel Other Crimes

Far too often, people erroneously believe car theft is an issue which only affects the people who get their cars stolen. Unfortunately, when it’s as widespread as it has become, everyone bears the cost in one way or another. We’ve said this over and over, but the Metro Nashville Police Department is now sounding the warning as well.

Nashville is drowning in abandoned cars.

Commander Lee Kendall of MNPD spoke with local news station WKRN to address the wave of Hyundai and Kia thefts in the area, pointing out that in one week out of 25 cars reported stolen 20 were Kias/Hyundais. He also helped open some eyes about how those stolen vehicles aren’t necessarily taken just to be sold but can help fuel other crimes, making the trend concerning.

That report highlights a few incidents, like an attempted break-in at a local business and the attempted theft of a Dodge Charger, where a stolen Kia or Hyundai was used to transport the suspects to and from the scene.

We’ve seen plenty of cases where stolen cars are used to steal more cars, break into businesses, or in street takeover events. They’re also sometimes used for drive-by shootings or other acts of violence. Criminals like using stolen cars to commit crimes because the vehicle can’t be traced back to them. It also means they’re constantly driving something different, making it harder for the authorities and their criminal rivals to track their movements.

Of those stolen cars which are sold, whether whole or in parts, the money generated can help these groups fund more illegal activities, including trafficking drugs, people, etc. So on top of pricier car insurance, parts shortages, and other societal costs of car theft, they can also cause other crimes in an area to rise, multiplying the problems further.

Both Kia and Hyundai offer fixes they say make their cars more difficult to steal. If you have one that was manufactured without an engine immobilizer, you can contact a local dealership for details on those upgrades. Or you can contact a private automotive security specialist to see what the aftermarket has to offer.

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