Beware of car theft trend in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It’s a story that Kia and Hyundai owners have heard for a while, now.

Certain models don’t have immobilizers.

That makes them a tempting target for thieves and joy riders.

It’s a problem that’s not slowing down.

Chattanooga has seen an increase in recent weeks.

“Six or so more stolen this past week,” said Harry Sommers, Executive Chief of Police for Chattanooga Police Department. “It continues at a 58% increase over last year and there is an issue involving the security of the ignitions of those vehicles.”

These stolen cars can also be used to commit other crimes, primarily by young adults. 

“Many of these stolen cars we find them back in our crimes,” Sommers said. ” The people who are doing robberies are using stolen vehicles. The more we do to protect our own vehicle, the more we do to help stop other people with bad intent from using them to commit even violent crime and crimes on property. “

Both Kia and Hyundai are offering security software updates to make their vehicles harder to steal.

“There are number of other ways you can go about doing this. keep your car safe by locking it is certainly the first level of keeping people out. It would be a lot of help if we do,” Sommers concluded.