Getting more 'Kia Boys' off the streets may be helping reduce auto thefts, new data shows
PUGET SOUND, Wash. — The Auto Theft Task Force - Puget Sound released statistics Tuesday showing a slight decrease in overall car thefts for the month of January, possibly due to several key arrests being made.
Their numbers indicate that 544 vehicles were stolen in Pierce County, and another 1,393 were stolen in King County, which equates to 62 per day on average. The report continued to note they are seeing a "steady decline" in overall auto thefts. They believe this is partially due to themultiple arrests of members of the "Kia Boys."
Officials said members of the self-proclaimed "Kia Boys" were operating throughout the region and stealing numerous vehicles each week. In early January, Seattle police announced the arrest of an 18-year-old alleged member of the "Kia Boys."
Several other arrests have been reported over the last few months as law enforcement works to crack down on auto thefts.
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The Pierce County Sheriff's Department (PCSD) said the numbers are "encouraging, but we urge you to stay vigilant and take steps to lessen your chance of becoming a victim."
The task force provided a list of tips to lessen the risk of becoming a victim of auto theft:
- Remove or hide all valuables
- Lock your car
- Don’t leave keys or fobs inside
- Don’t leave your vehicle running unattended (exhaust in cold months makes these vehicles easy to spot)
- Use anti-theft devices (alarm, kill switch, steering wheel lock)
- Park in well-lit areas
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The task force said they strongly encourage residents of apartment complexes to prioritize the list above because they are a top target for car thieves.
The task force highly suggested leaving a GPS tracker, like an AirTag or Tile, in your vehicle so you can track it if it does end up being stolen. They also suggested using a steering wheel lock, especially if you own a Kia or Hyundai.
On Feb. 7, the task force reported that in 2023, they recovered 404 stolen cars with a value of$6,697,852. They also made 101 arrests for a total of 217 criminal charges.
There have been 3,197 vehicles reported stolen statewide so far in 2024, which is down 21% from this time last year, according to the Auto Theft Task Force - Puget Sound.
