Lincoln Police Concerned About Viral "KIA BOYZ" Tik Tok Trend

A social media challenge showing how to steal specific Kia and Hyundai model cars may be part of the reason for the high amount of stolen vehicles this summer.

The Lincoln Police Department called out the “KIA BOYZ” Tik Tok trend for encouraging the theft of Kia and Hyundai cars in the area. This comes after Tuesday’s case involving two teenagers attempting to steal a 2013 Hyundai from the Lincoln Children’s Zoo parking lot.

Lincoln Police Investigator Scott Parker said a witness noticed the teenagers recording themselves as they caused 500 dollars worth of damage to the vehicle.

“One of the witnesses said that they observed them kind of like filming themselves doing this and then through the investigation they made admission to this Tik Tok challenge," said Parker.

The Lincoln Police Department says damage to the steering wheel and column is prominent in cases involving the social media trend. The Tik Toks are said to show how someone can bypass the safety features and ignition on older models of Kia and Hyundai cars.

Parker says the department is currently looking into other auto theft cases from this summer to find out if any were linked to the “KIA BOYZ” trend.

He also reminds those in Lincoln to be cautious and keep their cars locked.

“The suggestion I would say is if it's at home, if you have like a Kia, Hyundai, or whatever just try and park it up next to your house," Parker said.

"If they hear something in the middle of the night that's suspicious or anything like that they're always welcome to call the police department and we can come out investigate it, because that's what we're here for."