More than 1,500 vehicles were reported stolen in Dayton last year, which was up 83% from 2021, according to police data analyzed by the Dayton Daily News. This year, Dayton police say thieves stole or tried to steal 67 cars between Jan. 2 and 8 alone.
While thieves routinely steal cars left running and unattended, police say the main cause of rising thefts has been a security flaw in many Kias and Hyundais that thieves are exploiting.
Kias made since 2011 and Hyundais made since 2015 that use physical keys can be easily hijacked. Videos circulating on social media explain how to steal these makes in a few simple steps. Other videos show people actually breaking into these vehicles and riding off with them.
Last week someone broke into Jennifer Hartman’s 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe and damaged the steering column. The intruder evidently tried steal the SUV but was unsuccessful.
Hartman, 49, lives on McClain Street in East Dayton. She said she plans to relocate some of her security cameras so they are pointed at the street and her vehicle. She said she does not know what else she can do to deter theft.
