LOS ANGELES, CA — Vehicle thefts have been spiking in the San Fernando Valley, a trend driven, in part, by juvenile car thieves, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The citywide spike in vehicle thefts has been particularly pronounced in the San Fernando Valley, where some neighborhoods saw an almost 40 percent jump this year.
According to the nonprofit data newsroom Crosstown LA, there were 2,371 vehicle thefts in the LAPD’s Valley Bureau covering seven San Fernando Valley neighborhoods through April 29.
Much of the spike has been driven by conditions in North Hollywood.
“North Hollywood Division has an increase of 39%, or 134 more, motor vehicle thefts,” Chief Dominic Choi told the Board of Police Commissioners Tuesday of the comparison with this time last year, NBC Los Angeles reported. “Foothill Division has the largest percentage increase in the city of 51.6%, or plus 131, motor vehicle thefts.”
This year, roughly 700 cars were stolen in those two areas, and of the more than 130 auto theft arrests, 19 were juveniles as young as 12, NBC reported.
Auto theft in the city has been climbing since the start of the pandemic, a 64 percent spike over 2019, Crosstown reported.
Targeted vehicles include Kias, Chevrolets and Hyundais, Choi said. Hyundais and Kias have been vulnerable thanks to an anti-theft software glitch. The manufacturer has issued a recall and fix, but many owners have not taken advantage of the fix.
Last year, the LAPD warned of the spike in vehicle thefts in the San Fernando Valley area in connection with a TikTok challenge that exposed the vulnerabilities of vehicles manufactured by KIA and Hyundai.
“Over the past few weeks, the Van Nuys area has experienced an increase in the theft of vehicles
manufactured by KIA and Hyundai. For those unaware a “TikTok” challenge which went viral
last year and introduced the country to the “KIA Boys,” the LAPD warned in a written release last year. “This social media challenge explained in detail how to steal vehicles manufactured by these companies with minimum effort. It exposed a major flaw in the ignition systems utilizing a keyed switch. This had a major effect, increasing vehicle thefts exponentially, generating additional social media videos and lawsuits.”
Since the “TikTok” challenge went viral, KIA and Hyundai generated a software fix and issued recalls for certain vehicles. Now police are urging KIA and Hyundai vehicle owners to contact their local dealerships to retrofit their keyed ignition switches.
“Additionally, using an anti-theft device such as a steering wheel club in conjunction with the manufacturer’s update is an added deterrent,” according to the LAPD.
Police are encouraging Hyundai drivers to take advantage of free security software updates this weekend in Eagle Rock in conjunction with the LAPD and Hyundai Corporation.
” The process takes approximately 30 minutes to update the anti-theft protection software. Attendees will also receive a complimentary steering wheel lock, to further prevent their vehicles from being stolen,” the LAPD announced in a written statement.
The event will also include free VIN etching on catalytic converters to deter theft. The event will take place Frida through Sunday at the Eagle Rock Plaza, 2828 Colorado Blvd from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
