Kia Boys Caught in 4k
Four Indy teens, aged 14 to 16, were caught by Fishers police following a break-in at Napleton Kia in Fishers. This resulted in a high-speed chase in a DIFFERENT stolen Kia Soul (they stole this from a house in downtown Indy). Police pulled out spike strips, which ended the chase with the teens crashing around I-69/116th Street. This is where they captured the driver. The other teens managed to escape, only to be found later in a dumpster.
Exploring the trend
The Kia Boys Challenge is a viral crime trend of stealing a car, then driving dangerously while filming themselves doing it. It’s posted on TikTok, Instagram, etc, for clout. The crazier the heist, the better. People doing this became known as “Kia Boys.” It’s so bad that State Farm has blacklisted an enormous amount of models:
- 2015-2021 Hyundai Accent (all body styles)
- 2015-2021 Hyundai Elantra (two-door and four-door)
- 2015-2021 Hyundai Kona
- 2015-2021 Hyundai Santa Fe
- 2015-2021 Hyundai Tucson
- 2015-2018 Hyundai Veloster
- 2015-2021 Kia Forte
- 2015-2021 Kia Optima
- 2015-2016 Kia Optima Hybrid
- 2015-2021 Kia Rio (all body styles)
- 2015-2021 Kia Sedona
- 2015-2016 Kia Sorento
- 2015-2021 Kia Soul
- 2015-2021 Kia Sportage
So why is this happening? There’s at least two reasons.
- 2011 Kias and Hyundais do not have a theft-stopping device called an immobilizer in some of their cars.
- Teens wanting Internet clout
The trend’s origins are debated, but it likely started from TikTok — with videos showing how to steal the cars being posted. To steal them, it’s allegedly this simple:
- Pull out the steering column
- Take out the ignition cylinder
- Twist the small rectangle behind it to get the engine going
“As it turns out, a USB plug fits pretty snugly over that little rectangle. So, the Kias and Hyundais without immobilizers can be swiped super fast with just a screwdriver and a phone charger.”
If you have any Kia or Hyundai on the list from earlier, please take the proper measures to protect yourself. One solution would be to use as a deterrent, like a steering wheel lock bar.
Learn more
This is an excellent, in-the-field documentary on the Kia Boys. It’s a fascinating and worthwhile watch into the minds of the “Milwaukee Chapter”.
