Macomb County Sheriff’s Office arrests two teens in connection to string of Kia thefts

2 teens arrested, 1 still being sought

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – Police arrested two teenagers and are searching for a third suspect following a string of Kia thefts in Macomb County, highlighting an ongoing national trend of vehicle theft targeting Kia and Hyundai.

The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office investigated six Kia-related incidents, including four thefts and two attempted thefts, at Westbridge Manor in Macomb Township and Aspen Creek Apartments in Chesterfield Township.

“It’s very easy to break into a Kia,” Commander Jason Abro said. “They break into the ignition column, and at some point, they use a device to start the vehicle.”

Detectives tracked one of the stolen vehicles through multiple cities before it stopped at a home in Clinton Township. Three teenagers were inside the car. Two were arrested while one escaped. A judicial officer later released the teens to their parents’ custody, deciding not to house them at the Juvenile Justice Center.

Commander Abro expressed concern about the lenient consequences for young offenders. “Our message would just be obviously to ask judges and ask referees to continue with high bonds,” he said. “We’re seeing a lot where these individuals get released back into the community, and they’re committing the same type of crime.”

The teens are being charged with unlawfully driving away an automobile, which is a serious felony offense punishable by up to five years each.

The Sheriff’s Office recommends Kia and Hyundai owners purchase steering wheel locks as a deterrent. While not foolproof, these devices can discourage potential thieves.

“It takes time to get that device off of the steering wheel,” Abro explained. “Usually, we’ll see that this is within seconds they’re trying to break into a vehicle, trying to take that vehicle, and that’s a big deterrent.”

Hyundai and Kia have distributed thousands of steering wheel locks nationwide to combat the theft surge. The manufacturers also offer free anti-theft software updates to affected customers, extending the theft alarm duration and adding an ignition kill feature that requires the vehicle’s key fob for deactivation.