Shutterstock / Daniel Judzura
Hyundais and Kias were the most commonly stolen vehicle in San Antonio between January 2022 and March 2023, according to SAPD.
Authorities recorded 4,292 vehicle thefts between January 2022 and March 2023, a 59.14% increase, according to SAPD crime statistics cited by McManus at the meeting of council's public safety committee. An array of factors, including a popular TikTok trend in which young car thieves target Kias and Hyandais, is contributing the problem, the chief explained.
Thefts involving the two Asian manufacturers' vehicles has become such a problem that some of the nation's largest insurers, including Progressive and State Farm, have recently begun refusing to insure them, according to CNN.
According to McManus' statistics, the following makes and models were stolen most often in San Antonio from January of last year through the present:
"There's a lot of contributing factors why people are stealing vehicles," McManus said. "One, to take them down to Mexico and sell them. Two, is to commit other crimes."- Hyundai Elantra
- Ford F Series
- Kia Optima
- Hyundai Sonata
- Dodge Ram Series
- Kia Soul
- Chevrolet Silverado Series
- Kia Forte
- Kia Rio
- Kia Sportage
Although car thefts continue to soar in San Antonio, the overall crime rate dropped around 2%, according to the chief. Even so, homicide, kidnapping and vandalism rose 6.82%, 51.2% and 9.8%, respectively, according to SAPD crime data.
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