All articles tagged with #auto theft
A woman's body was found inside a vehicle in Minneapolis, prompting an investigation into a suspicious death. Police responded to the scene in the Ventura Village neighborhood, and a man was taken into custody for auto theft, though his connection to the death is unclear.
Jaylen Lobley, an 18-year-old suspect killed in a shootout with Memphis Police, had been arrested in March for auto theft, unlawful possession of a weapon, and vandalism, but was released without bond. He was found with stolen cars, a stolen gun, and a device converting it to a fully automatic weapon. The shootout resulted in the death of a police officer and injuries to two other officers and another teenage suspect.
Toronto police initially advised residents to leave car keys on their front porch to prevent home invasions, but have since retracted the advice, acknowledging better ways to prevent auto theft motivated home invasions. The police are concerned about a 400% increase in home invasions and break-ins for auto theft occurrences in 2023, and have issued new safety advice including parking vehicles in garages, ensuring well-lit driveways, installing security systems, and reporting suspicious activity. Auto theft in Canada is a significant issue, with a car being stolen every six minutes, and a recent case involving a homeowner defending his family resulting in legal complications.
The Government of Canada is taking comprehensive action to combat auto theft, with initiatives including increased investment in the Canada Border Services Agency for investigations and intelligence sharing, coordination of criminal intelligence by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, potential amendments to the Criminal Code by the Department of Justice Canada, modernization of vehicle safety standards by Transport Canada, and collaboration with the automotive industry by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada to develop new solutions and ban theft devices.
St. Paul, Minnesota, has successfully reduced car thefts through a focus on prevention and youth intervention, despite a nationwide surge in auto thefts driven by a viral TikTok video exposing a security vulnerability in certain Kia and Hyundai models. The city's approach includes educating residents about theft risks, targeted ad campaigns, providing steering wheel clubs for affected car owners, and offering positive outlets for young people involved in auto theft. The strategy has led to a significant decline in car thefts, making St. Paul an outlier in the national trend.
A woman in Australia has been charged with stealing a parked truck filled with 10,000 Krispy Kreme doughnuts after being on the run for two weeks. The incident was captured on CCTV, and police followed a trail of crumbs to find the abandoned vehicle. The woman was arrested and charged with multiple offenses. The spoiled doughnuts were destroyed, but Krispy Kreme assured customers that they were working to replace them.
In an effort to combat the rise in carjackings, auto thefts, and other crimes in Washington, DC, the Metropolitan Police Department and Mayor Muriel Bowser's government have launched an initiative to distribute Apple AirTags to residents living in designated auto theft hot zones. The AirTags, installed by police officers, will help track stolen vehicles and aid in investigations. Additionally, residents who drive for ride-share or food delivery services can receive free dashboard cameras to deter crime and provide valuable evidence. The city has seen a significant increase in violent crimes, including a 98% rise in car theft and a 104% increase in carjackings compared to last year.
The City of Chicago has filed a lawsuit against Hyundai and Kia, accusing the automakers of failing to install engine immobilizers in many of their vehicles between 2011 and 2022, leading to a surge in auto thefts. Chicago experienced a 55% increase in reported auto thefts in 2022, with over 8,800 Kia and Hyundai vehicles stolen, representing 41% of the city's reported thefts. The lawsuit alleges that the lack of immobilizers disproportionately affects low-income residents and has put pedestrians, drivers, and bystanders at risk. Several other cities, including New York, have also taken legal action against the automakers. Kia and Hyundai have stated that engine immobilizers are now standard on all their vehicles produced since November 2021, but with many vulnerable vehicles still on the road, the problem persists. The lawsuit seeks an injunction to fix the vehicles, restitution for impacted customers, fines, and other damages.
A 15-year-old suspect has been arrested after four cars, including two Camaros and two Cadillacs, were stolen from General Motors's Grand River Assembly Plant in Lansing. One of the stolen vehicles has been recovered, and the arrest took place in Livingston County.
Nearly 2,000 Kias and Hyundais have been stolen from the streets and driveways of Louisville in 2023, with thieves taking advantage of a design flaw that makes it easy to start the engines of certain models. The Louisville Metro Police Department is working to curb the problem, but the thefts continue to rise. Victims like Amanda Rhye have experienced the devastating impact of auto theft, with stolen vehicles often ending up in the impound lot. Police are urging residents to take precautions such as parking in well-lit areas, locking cars, and using steering wheel locks to make themselves a harder target.
Changes to auto theft laws in Colorado will take effect on July 1, increasing penalties for auto theft and linking charges to the value of the stolen vehicle. All motor vehicle thefts will now be considered felonies, and penalties for repeat offenders will be increased. The changes also include language that holds individuals accountable if they knew or should have reasonably known that they were in a stolen vehicle. The goal is to deter auto theft and its connection to other crimes. Vehicle owners are advised to take preventive measures such as removing valuables and locking doors.
At least 20 cars were burglarized at the Wolfchase Galleria Mall in Memphis, with most of the burglaries happening near the mall's entrance. Memphis Police responded to the scene and completed a report, but the number of car break-ins could increase as owners notify them. The property has seen at least 81 auto thefts this year.
The top prosecutor of Hennepin County, Minnesota, has presented a strategy to curb youth auto theft, which includes community engagement and prevention programs. The plan aims to address the root causes of the issue, such as poverty and lack of opportunities, and provide support to at-risk youth. The prosecutor also emphasized the importance of holding young offenders accountable while also offering them a chance to turn their lives around.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has announced a new collaborative effort aimed at slowing the wave of vehicle thefts by youth. The initiative will involve regular meetings between prosecutors and law enforcement in the county to identify “at-risk” teens and pre-teens, so that social workers can then contact those kids’ family members, identify issues they’re facing and connect them to services to help. Additionally, Moriarty says her office will speed up its charging decisions in auto theft cases later this month. Finally, Hennepin County courts will start requiring judges to review detention decisions for kids charged with fleeing police.
Kia and Hyundai have settled a nationwide class action lawsuit for over $200m after a surge in auto thefts that began last year in St. Louis and across the US. The car manufacturers will pay for about 9 million vehicles that lack a standard anti-theft security device, allowing thieves to break into and drive off in many models of the cars in less than 90 seconds. Car owners can receive up to $6,125 for out-pocket-damages, including the total loss of their car. A software upgrade will be automatically installed when an eligible car is brought into a dealership for any kind of maintenance or repairs.