Viral TikTok challenge spurs rise in thefts of Kia, Hyundai cars in South Florida
A recent social media challenge involving Kia and Hyundai models highlighted the vulnerability of certain vehicles to theft. The nationwide challenge burdened law enforcement agencies and left families stranded including in South Florida.
Questions remain after Highway Patrol trooper accidentally pulls PIT maneuver on Opa-locka police captain
A spinning, crashing end to a police chase was caught on camera after a Florida Highway Patrol trooper, used the precision immobilization technique – better known as a PIT maneuver – on an Opa-locka police captain.
Hyundai to hold software-upgrade clinics across the US for vehicles targeted by thieves
Hyundai says it will set up “mobile clinics” at five U.S. locations to provide anti-theft software upgrades for vehicles now regularly targeted by thieves using a technique popularized on TikTok and other social platforms.
Police: Student arrested over Instagram video showing gun pointed at police car at Miami-Dade school
Detectives accused a 19-year-old man of recording a video of himself in a Kia — while pointing a gun at a police car outside of a school in Miami-Dade County — and publishing it on Instagram on Monday.
Judge declines to approve Hyundai/Kia class action settlement, noting weak proposed remedies
A federal judge on Wednesday declined to approve a proposed settlement in a class-action lawsuit prompted by a surge in Hyundai and Kia vehicle thefts, saying it fails to provide “fair and adequate” relief to vehicle owners.
TikTok and other social media trends are thrusting performance crimes into the US spotlight
A sharp uptick in thefts of Hyundais and Kias over the past two years has been linked to viral videos posted to TikTok and other social media platforms that teach people how to exploit a security vulnerability to steal the cars.
Detectives search for driver of white Kia after fatal hit-and-run in Miami Beach
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Officers are searching for the person who was behind the wheel of a white 2020 Kia Sorrento with Florida tag KCMD06 that they say was involved in a deadly hit-and-run crash Thursday night in Miami Beach. Detectives said the driver ran over a man who was crossing Fifth Street at Michigan Avenue around 7 p.m. and sped away — leaving South Beach westbound on the MacArthur Causeway. Detectives on Friday located the Kia Sorrento, which was being towed from Opa-locka to the Miami Beach Police Department so it could be swept for evidence. He added that police found the vehicle through a tip from Crime Stoppers, but they are still searching for whoever was driving it Thursday night. Rodriguez asked anyone with further information to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
Driver crashes into apartment building in Dania Beach
DANIA BEACH, Fla. – A woman was parking her Kia sports utility vehicle when she crashed on Friday into the apartment building where she lives in Dania Beach. The debris from the two-story building was scattered in the parking lot at 4200 SW 53 Ct. The woman said she was unable to break when she crashed into her neighbor’s apartment. Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies responded. No one was injured in the crash.
Police make contact with suspect in hit-and-run crash that killed teen boy in Bal Harbour
BAL HARBOUR, Fla. – A deadly hit-and-run from over the weekend remains unsolved, but police are hoping that new video will shed some light on the case. A little makeshift memorial lies in the spot where the teenage boy was struck by a hit and run driver. Surveillance video obtained exclusively by Local 10 News shows the silver Kia passing by a neighboring condo building seconds before the impact. Police are searching for this silver Kia Optima in connection to a deadly hit-and-run. (WPLG)Detectives have not specified if Ahearn was driving or what her exact role is in this tragic crash.
14-year-old bicylist dies after hit and run in Bal Harbour
BAL HARBOUR, Fla. – Miami-Dade Police are searching for a silver KIA sedan that fled the scene after striking a bicyclist on Collins Avenue. Police said around 6 p.m. on Saturday, a 14-year-old was riding along the 10200 block of Collins Avenue. The vehicle was traveling northbound when the driver struck the bicyclist. The silver KIA sedan should have front right-end and windshield damage, according to police. Anyone with information is urged to call Miami-Dade Police at (305)-4-POLICE (305-476-5423) or Miami-Dade Crimestoppers at (305) 471-8477.