Baltimore County, MD – Sept. 26, 2023 – Baltimore County continues to see an increase of automobile thefts targeting Hyundai and Kia vehicles.  Several social media posts have gone viral explaining the methods employed by thieves to defeat Hyundai and Kia ignition systems.  Thieves have discovered that a number of Hyundai and Kia vehicles could be stolen in a minute or less, sometimes using nothing more than brute force and a USB cable. Please contact a Hyundai and Kia dealership to see if your vehicle can easily be stolen.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau emphasizes that professional thieves can steal any car but advises owners to take a layered approach to protect their vehicles, in line with their budget and perception of risk. Along with steering-wheel, brake-pedal, brake and wheel locks, it’s possible to install fuse cutoffs and kill switches as well as aftermarket immobilizer systems.

Please be vigilant of suspicious individuals or vehicles roaming through the neighborhoods. If you notice any suspicious activity, ensure you are at a safe distance, then get a good description of the individuals involved, and contact 911. [Ed.Note: and Shomrim 410.358.9999].