Thieves Target Hyundais And Kias In Community Parking Lots: Reports

PALOS HILLS, IL — Ten incidents of stolen or damaged Kias and Hyundais were reported in Palos Hills. All of the vehicles were parked in community parking lots at Palos Hills apartment complexes, reports said.

Vehicles' windows were shattered, steering columns stripped or cars outright stolen at the following locations:

• A Kia Optima was parked in the community lot around 4 p.m. May 9. Later in the evening, the owners looked out their apartment window into the parking lot and saw two men driving off in their car.
• Vehicle owners told police they parked their 2013 Hyundai Elantra in the community parking lot on May 12. When they returned to their car the next day, the rear driver’s side window was broken.
• Thieves tried to steal a 2019 Hyundai Sonata parked in the community parking lot in the 8500 block of 101st Terrace during the overnight hours of May 12. The next morning, the owners found the steering column peeled back.
• Also in the 8500 block of 101st Terrace, the rear driver’s side window of a 2021 Kia Forte was found smashed in the community parking lot during the overnight hours of May 12-May 13.
• A vehicle owner left their 2023 Hyundai Elantra in the community parking lot in the 9900 block of 86th Terrace on May 12. The next day, someone had broken the rear driver’s side window. The owner has an anti-theft locking device on the steering wheel.
• During the overnight hours of May 12-May 13, a 2015 Hyundai Sonata was parked in the community parking lot in the 8500 block of 99th Terrace. The rear driver’s side window was smashed out.
• The rear driver’s side window was found smashed in another 2015 Hyundai Sonata parked in the same lot in the 8500 block of 99th Terrace on May 13.
• A 2021 Kia Forte parked in the community parking lot in the 99th Terrace was found with its steering column broken in an attempt to steal it May 13. The owner’s wallet was also missing from the vehicle as well.
• On May 13, a 2021 Hyundai Accent in the 8500 block of 99th Terrace, was found damaged. The driver’s side window and steering column had been broken.
• The inside of a 2023 Hyundai Elantra parked in the 8500 block of 99th Terrace was found in disarray on May 14. The owner said $47 was missing as well as their debit card, Social Security card and driver’s license. The vehicle was not damaged.

The rise in Hyundai and Kia vehicle thefts or attempted thefts was inspired by a TikTok video showing how to start these cars without a key. In 2022, over 7,000 Hyundais and Kias were reported stolen in the Chicago area alone.

Wait, there's more:

2 Vehicles Stolen, Attempt Made On Kia K5: Palos Hills Blotter

Hyundais, Kia Messed With In Palos Hills: Reports

Kia Sorento Stolen From Community Parking Lot: Palos Hills Police