Worcester Police released a map showing the hotspots where Kia and Hyundai cars have been stolen
Police identify stolen car hotspots as Kia, Hyundai models are targeted
WORCESTER — The Worcester Police Department on Friday issued a community alert to warn residents of a spike in car thefts, particularly targeting Hyundai and Kia models.
According to a W.P.D. Community Awareness Bulleting, this surge is linked to the so-called "TikTok Kia Challenge," which exploits a security flaw in specific vehicle models.
Since November, the city has seen a worrying trend with 36 thefts — 24 Hyundais and 12 Kias — which make up a quarter of all vehicle thefts in this period.
The Hyundai Elantra has been notably vulnerable, accounting for 34% of these incidents. Authorities have pinpointed significant theft clusters around Chandler and Austin streets and the downtown junction of Front and Commercial streets, specifically targeting parking facilities at 145 Front Street, 201 Commercial Street, and the Worcester Public Library at 3 Salem Square.
In response to this alarming trend, the Worcester Police Department is advising vehicle owners to take proactive measures to safeguard their property.
Recommendations:
• Contact your local dealership to see if your vehicle qualifies for the software update and/or retrofit kit
• Use a steering wheel club
• Park in a well lit area
• Install a battery disconnect switch
• Install a kill switch
• Lock all windows and doors
• Install a GPS tracking device
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (:27). High of 58 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
-Mass. National Guard sergeant from Leominster charged with killing boyfriend (1:50). Article
-Cuts coming: Worcester schools face $22 million budget deficit
-On set at "The Walking Dead: Dead City" in Worcester
-Related: "The Walking Dead: Dead City" TV show filming begins in Downtown Worcester
-Family of 14-year-old Worcester teen killed in shooting announces funeral
-Worcester police investigate stabbing on Chandler Street
-Search warrant leads to arrest of Worcester man for drugs
-Mass. D.O.T. exhibit at DCU Center features simulator for navigating streets
-Channel 7 solves timeshare problem for local widow
-The Faces of Worcester: Allen Greenman, Real estate & watchmaker
-Radio Worcester (48:04): Radio Roundtable discusses Supreme Court's homelessness ruling impact on Worcester
>CELEBRITY: Worcester's Denis Leary to appear in first movie since 2014
>DINING OUT: Central Mass. Mom's Best Gluten-Free Restaurants in Central Mass.
-ICYMI: "Pop, pop ... bang, bang!" Driver wounded in shooting before car slams into Worcester house (2:18)
-Related: Resident recounts waking to gunshots, S.U.V. slamming into house
-City Manager Eric Batista to reject committee recommendations, renew Spectrum contract
-Related: The Buzz with City Manager Batista — Cable Talk
-Korean fried chicken shop coming to Downtown Worcester
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): TODAY! Budget presentation by Finance Committee on Friday
-Lamoureux Ford salutes the UConn Huskies (:54)
-Annual town election May 13th
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Shrewsbury Select Board creates Municipal Facilities Optimization Committee
-Gardner man in unresponsive state drives up to Clinton police in Hannaford parking lot
-Northborough residents react to being named the safest in Mass.
-Tribute Road Race Saturday in Clinton
-Bulfinch Bee 5K Saturday in Lancaster
-Clinton Chamber hosting several events
-Fitchburg vacant property registration requirement now live
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Friday
-Singer-songwriter Tasteless Jack makes Redemption Rock taproom debut on Saturday
>SHOWTIME: Six Things to Do: Psychic Faire, poet Alejandro Jimenez and more
-Knights and fairies galore at renaissance fair in Phillipston this weekend
-Play explores life of suffragist and abolitionist Julia Ward Howe
-WCCA-TV's Talk of Main Street No. 27 (29:01)
-WCCA-TV's The Mayor's Forum No. 39 (28:25): Central Mass. Agency on Aging
-Unity Radio (58:06): TheWoo508
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to local man who passed away at age 104
>SPORTS: Bruins lose Game 6 to Toronto, Game 7
-Here's what Bruins broadcaster Jack Edwards said after his final game
-Dates for Celtics second round series vs. Cavs or Magic
-For Patriots, it's out with “Do Your Job,” in with “Process… Progress… Payoff.”
-Belichick — the Holy Cross coach, not the other one — named Coach of the Year
-Red Sox fall to Giants, 3-1
-WooSox lose to Lehigh Valley, 7-1
>CARS: Bertera has the all-star team to help you find your next Nissan car or truck (:39)
-New U.S. cars will be required to have automatic emergency braking in 5 years
>NATIONAL: U.S. drug control agency will move to reclassify marijuana
-17-year-old charged with murdering 10-year-old sister
-Tragic: 2-year-old boy dies after inflatable house goes airborne
>NEW ENGLAND: Karen Read trial Day 3 recap | What happened at the scene of death? (31:36)
-Tanker fire closes I-95 in Norwalk, Conn. (1:13)
>COLLEGES: Filmmaker and Clark alum explores identity, acceptance and blue-collar realities
-Anna Maria Senior Profile: Haylee Walker, class of ‘24
-Assumption students recognized for academic excellence at 40th Honors Convocation
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): Beautiful African paradise islands that most tourists don’t know about
>BUSINESS: African business expo in Worcester eyes increased attendance for second year
-LPL Research: That was quite a week
-This is the most dreaded word at work: "My mind goes to the worst places"
>SHOPPING: Credit card skimmers found at Walmarts, including one in Hudson
>HOMES: See all homes sold in Worcester County, April 21st to 27th
>HEALTH: U.S. fertility rate dropped to lowest in a century
-Eating avocados may lower diabetes risk for women: study
>FOOD: Walgreens keeps selling out of mango gummy candy — and Gen Zers are desperate
>TV/STREAMING: Max streaming service to crack down on password sharing after move boosts Netflix
>MOVIES: Margot Robbie to produce live-action "Monopoly" movie
>ANIMALS: He was in the shelter for over 600 days until... (:59)
>HISTORY: Soldier's Monument, Worcester Common
>GOOD NEWS (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Soldier surprises 5-year-old daughter at school
-Meanwhile, man paddles river in Australia's largest pumpkin
Latest obituaries | | Thursday's highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
Classifieds
-Servers and cashiers/host at Nancy Chang
-Servers and bartenders at Altea's Eatery
-Weekend bartender at Halligan's
-Full-time and part-time positions at George's Coney Island
See all Help Wanteds | | Job opening? Post it here for FREE today
Quick Links: Personalize your news | | Browse members | | Advertise | | Blogs | | Invite friends | | Videos
Animals | | Boston Sports | | Business | | Cars | | Celebrity | | Colleges | | Commute & Travel | | Crime | | Faith | | Food | | Good News | | Health | | History | | Homes | | Local Sports | | Lottery | | Movies | | National | | New England | | Politics | | Shopping & Deals | | SHOWTIME! | | TV & Streaming | | Weather