All articles tagged with #car theft
A series of vehicle thefts involving a white tow truck have been reported across San Bernardino County, with victims noticing their cars disappearing from driveways and curbs without police awareness, prompting an investigation into possible organized crime.
A 19-year-old mother, Bianca Slaughter, was arrested after leaving her nearly 2-year-old son behind during an attempted car theft in Highland Park, Los Angeles. The child was found alone in a car with a dog after the theft attempt, and authorities are seeking public help to identify the boy's family. The child remains in custody of the Department of Children and Family Services, and the mother faces felony charges.
Los Angeles police are seeking help to identify a young boy found in a car with a dog after an attempted theft; the boy is in custody but remains unidentified, and no one has come forward to claim him.
Three children aged 8, 11, and 12 stole a car after watching YouTube tutorials on how to do so, and crashed it into a home in Ohio. The 11-year-old was driving, and no injuries occurred. The children were caught and released to their parents, with charges pending in juvenile court.
Hyundai and Kia have reached a $9 million settlement across 35 states, including California, after being accused of selling cars lacking anti-theft protections, which contributed to a surge in thefts inspired by social media trends. The settlement offers compensation to affected owners and includes a free retrofit to enhance vehicle security.
Millions of Hyundai and Kia owners in the U.S. are eligible for free repairs and upgrades, including engine immobilizers, following a settlement over inadequate anti-theft technology that led to a surge in vehicle thefts, partly fueled by social media videos demonstrating how to steal these cars. The settlement, involving 35 states, aims to address theft issues dating back to 2011 and includes future vehicle security enhancements and restitution payments.
A Florida family bought a Toyota RAV4 for their daughter, but the vehicle was later seized by authorities as stolen, leaving the family with ongoing payments on a car they cannot drive due to a legal issue involving the vehicle's ownership and lien status.
Thieves are hiding Apple AirTags on cars to track and steal them, with common hiding spots like under the license plate and inside the gas tank door. iPhone users can receive alerts and locate the AirTags using Find My, while Android users should use the Tracker Detect app. Removing the battery disables tracking, and checking your car after parking in public places can help prevent theft.
Thieves are hiding Apple AirTags on cars to track and steal them, with common hiding spots including under the license plate and inside the gas tank door. iPhone users can receive alerts and locate the AirTags using Find My, while Android users should use the Tracker Detect app to scan for unknown AirTags. Removing the battery disables tracking, and checking your vehicle after parking in public places can help prevent theft.
A gunman in Austin, Texas, killed three people outside a Target store, stole multiple cars, and was apprehended after a police chase involving a stun gun. The suspect, a 32-year-old with a history of mental health issues, remains under investigation, and the motive is unknown.
Hyundai is offering a paid security upgrade in the UK for Ioniq 5 owners to protect against thefts using a Game Boy-like device that exploits vulnerabilities in keyless entry systems, costing £49, though no similar option is available in the US yet.
A woman spent 25 minutes searching for her new white truck at Walmart, mistakenly thinking it was stolen, but it was just her forgetting what it looked like. Her story has inspired others to share similar experiences and practical tips like using car alarm or 'Find My Car' apps to locate vehicles more easily.
Michelin-starred chef Tommy Banks appealed to thieves who stole his van containing $32,000 worth of meat pies to donate the goods to those in need, invoking the Christmas spirit. The refrigerated van, intended for a York Christmas Market stall, was found abandoned with fake plates, but it's unclear if the pies were recovered. Banks urged the thieves to leave the pies at a community center, highlighting their limited shelf-life. This incident follows another food-related theft in England, where $390,000 worth of cheese was stolen in London.
A 12-year-old boy in Washington state stole his grandfather's car and drove 160 miles before being apprehended by police. The boy, who had a connection to a town in Grant County, led deputies on a short pursuit that ended with a PIT maneuver. He is now in custody at the Chelan County Juvenile Justice Center, facing charges of possession of a stolen vehicle and felony eluding.
Oakland, California, has been ranked the worst city for driving in the U.S. for the second consecutive year, according to WalletHub. The city faces high rates of car crashes and thefts, with 23 fatal crashes reported this year and a 45% increase in car thefts. Factors contributing to its poor ranking include high costs of ownership, poor traffic infrastructure, and safety issues. Racial and geographic disparities in crash rates are also significant, with Black residents more likely to be involved in fatal accidents. In contrast, Raleigh, North Carolina, was named the best city for drivers.