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High number of vehicle thefts continue in NYC

Older Kia and Hyundai vehicles that do not have engine immobilizers have been the target of car thefts in Milwaukee over the past few years.
Mark Ralston
/
AFP via Getty Images
Older Kia and Hyundai vehicles that do not have engine immobilizers have been the target of car thefts in Milwaukee over the past few years.

Vehicle thefts continue to take place at a high level in New York City.

NYPD Chief Michel Lipetry says there's been a 37 percent increase in vehicles thefts in April compared to April of last year. He says a quarter of the thefts are Hyundai and Kia models.

"And that is being driven by social media, TikTok and that really surfaced toward the end of last year."

Tik Tok theft challenges revealed manufacture flaws on how to start certain Kia and Hyundai models without a key. Lipetry says more than half arrested for these thefts in New York City are under the age of 18.