How 'Grand Theft Auto' actually works, according to a former car thief
Hondo Underwood speaks with Business Insider about methods of breaking into cars and the models he stole, including Chevrolets and Ford pickup trucks.
car theft
My Kia got stolen thanks to a TikTok trend. Here's what I wish I had known before buying this car.
My Kia Optima was stolen, probably as part of the Kia Boys' TikTok challenge. A steering wheel lock and software update will help prevent theft.
Hyundai and Kia car thefts surged by more than 1000% since 2020 after viral TikToks exposed key security flaw, report says
The rise in thefts began after viral social media videos showed how some Kia and Hyundai models could be hijacked using only a USB cord.
Car theft surged more than 10% in one year. See the most stolen models.
Dodge Charger SRT Hellcats were stolen 600 times more often than the average car, IIHS said. See the top 20 most frequently stolen models.
A 10-year-old and his sister, 11, stole their mom's car and drove it 200 miles before being pulled over by the cops
"Much to their surprise," officers who stopped the car found the driver was a 10-year-old boy, Alachua County Sheriff's Office said.
A man awaiting trial on suspicion of stealing a police car stole another one, police say
A Wisconsin man stole a police car last week while in the midst of legal proceedings over the theft of a different squad car last year, police say.
Eric Adams is handing out hundreds of free Apple AirTags in a bid to cut the number of auto thefts in New York
The mayor called the Apple tracking device a "really amazing piece of ingenuity," as New York tries to use technology to tackle crime.
Tiktok-inspired 'Kia Boys' car thefts could be a $600 million problem, according to a new court document
Drivers seek compensation from Kia and Hyundai for lax security measures. Auto insurers' preliminary estimate of total cost: $500M to $600M.
Thieves can steal a car in minutes by hacking it through its headlights with devices sold online, experts warn
Car security experts say there's a device that can be bought online that lets thieves hack into cars via the headlights, as car thefts in US increase.
Criminals are stealing hundreds of thousands of Kias and Hyundais — and TikTok is to blame
Kia and Hyundai thefts have boomed by as much as 900% in some US cities, and it all started with a viral TikTok.
People are getting crushed to death during alleged catalytic converter thefts, a crime on the rise that's now taking a toll on more than just cars
While catalytic converter thefts have risen drastically recently, people have also been killed in the process of trying to secure the precious parts.
Gone in 40 seconds: Kentucky police arrest teenage suspect following $600,000 multiple car heist that took less than a minute
The dealership's manager told local outlets he believes there were seven people involved in the theft of six cars, worth over half a million dollars.
Kia and Hyundai are rolling out software upgrades for models targeted by a viral challenge that taught people how to steal them
Kia and Hyundai are providing free anti-theft software upgrades after a social media challenge challenge taught people how to easily steal the cars.
Some Kia and Hyundai models get stolen so often that State Farm and Progressive said they'll no longer insure them in some cities
The insurance companies are no longer writing policies for some Hyundai and Kia cars in St. Louis and Denver due to theft risk, per local reports.
This glitch in Hyundais and Kias makes them easy to steal. They're nearly half the cars swiped in one city – and police say social media is fueling the thieves.
Some Kia and Hyundai cars that use traditional keys are easier to steal because they don't have a chip that stops the car from starting without a key.
TikTok 'Kia Challenge' fuels rise in using USB cables to steal cars
A TikTok challenge has been linked to a spike in using USB chargers to steal Kia and Hyundai cars in Wisconsin, Ohio, Texas, and beyond.
There's been an uptick in car burglaries and auto thefts as Americans shelter in place
In one instance, Seattle police returned a stolen car to its owner who hadn't even noticed it was missing.
'This is an epidemic': Police are battling a crime wave sparked by a nationwide trend
Gun thieves increasingly target cars. Police say a Georgia duo hit 161 vehicles before getting caught.
A former US Marine has been arrested in Tijuana in relation to multiple crimes
Tyler James Yeager, a US Marine Corps veteran, was arrested in Tijuana over the weekend. Authorities say he will be charged in relation to several robberies.