Hybla Valley Steering Wheel Lock Giveaway Planned Due To Thefts

HYBLA VALLEY, VA — Fairfax County Police will host a steering wheel lock giveaway for Hyundai vehicles, which have been impacted by a vehicle theft trend tied to a TikTok challenge.

The steering wheel lock distribution is planned Saturday, March 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Mount Vernon Police Station, 2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria, VA. The distribution is intended for owners of 2010 to 2022 Hyundai vehicles with a steel turnkey ignition.

The event will also offer child safety seat inspections, gun lock distribution and crime prevention information. Items will be given on a first come, first served basis. Anyone with questions can contact Katie.Watts@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Police have been holding distribution events in response to an increase in thefts targeting Hyundai and Kia vehicles. The increase in thefts is tied to a TikTok challenge that shows how to steal cars using a USB charging cord. In January, Fairfax County Police had responded to a string of thefts targeting Hyundai and Kia cars in the Lorton area.

In February, Hyundai and Kia and announced an anti-theft software upgrade extending the length of the alarm sound and requiring a key to be in the ignition to turn the vehicle on. Hyundai's upgrade is for nearly 4 million vehicles, while an upgrade for all remaining affected vehicles is expected by June. Hyundai is also providing car owners with a window sticker warning thieves about the vehicles' anti-theft protection.

Patch editor Mark Hand contributed to this report.