Car Thieves Are Targeting These 3 Models In NJ's Largest City, Police Say

NEWARK, NJ — Newark police issued a vehicle theft warning for three types of vehicles produced by Honda on Monday.

The Newark Department of Public Safety says that “late-model” Accords, Civics and CR-Vs have become targets for theft in the city.

Thieves are stealing these models of car by using electronic devices to copy key fob codes, police said.

“Drivers are encouraged to purchase a steering wheel lock, pedal lock or other aftermarket vehicle security system,” Newark police advised.

Parking in well-lit, secure areas can also serve as a theft-deterrent, authorities added.

NEWARK AND CAR THEFTS

In 2024, Newark sued Honda and Kia, reporting that there has been a huge jump in thefts of their vehicles in the city. The reason? The two major companies intentionally left out an important piece of anti-theft technology in their vehicles from 2011 to 2021, Newark officials alleged.

From 2022 to 2023, Newark saw a whopping 1,246 percent increase in thefts of those types of cars, which officials said is directly related to the failure to install immobilizers.

• See Related: Newark, Other Cities Sue 2 Major Car Makers Over Vehicle Thefts

While the alleged issues with Hyundai and Kia have caused auto theft numbers to jump in Newark, there’s also another factor behind the local rise in vehicle thefts, officials previously said: people leaving their engines idling.

According to Newark public safety officials, about one of five stolen cars in Newark is left running.

• See Related: Newark Car Thefts Continue; Don't Leave Vehicles Running, Cops Plead

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