For months now, Kia vehicles have been stolen in Buffalo to be taken on joy rides.  Now, two teens have been arrested in connection with the thefts.

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It started as a joke on Tik Tok and many would argue that the Kia Challenge has gone completely out of control.

What is the Kia Challenge on Tik Tok?

The challenge started in July of 2022 after a video was posted of a teen who was able to hotwire a Kia vehicle with a USB connector to the key slot of the car.  Since then thousands of Kias (and Hyundais) have been stolen.  The cars are taken for joy rides and then either wrecked or left on the side of the road.

Unfortunately, the reckless manner in which the kids drive (because they don't care about the car) has resulted in multiple deaths, including four teens in Buffalo.

 

What can you do to prevent your Kia from being stolen?

Police are recommending that people who own Kias with the turn-key style of ignition buy a wheel lock to avoid having their car stolen.  Some places are even giving them away to people who own those specific vehicles.

Another thing that people are doing is hiding an Apple Airtag somewhere discreetly in their vehicle.  While this won't stop your vehicle from being stolen, it might help you to track it and help the police to recover it.

Two Teens Arrested For Kia Challenge

Normally the people taking part in this "challenge" are teens.  Two were arrested this week in connection with the theft of multiple cars in the Buffalo area.  According to WGRZ 19 year old Michael Arcay from Buffalo and a 15 year old female are both facing a slew of charges including:

For Arcay

  • one count of Grand Larceny 4th degree
  • five counts of Unauthorized Use of A Motor Vehicle 3rd degree
  • five counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th degree
  • one count of Criminal Mischief 4th degree
  • one count of Conspiracy 4th degree
  • six violations of the Vehicle and Traffic Law

For the 15 year old female:

  • two counts of Grand Larceny 4th degree
  • two counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th degree
  • one count of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle 3rd degree
  • one count of Criminal Mischief 4th degree
  • one count of Conspiracy 5th degree

Both were issued appearance tickets and released.

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