A few weeks ago, my husband and I returned home from our monthly date night at EPCOT. (Yes, we go monthly. Feel free to poke fun, I am not ashamed. 😊)

We pulled into our empty driveway, grabbed our bags and I walked inside expecting to have a few more minutes of quiet alone time before Gramma arrived to drop off the kids.

My husband was still standing on the front porch, bag in hand, looking around the front yard with the strangest look on his face. He asked, “didn’t you park my car in the driveway before we left?”

We realized it at the same moment.

The car was stolen.

JSO found the car abandoned and out of gas the same night we left for Orlando.

A few days later we had to pay to get the car out of a tow yard.

The steering column was destroyed, the back passenger window was smashed with a softball, all four tires were totally bald and the spark plugs were completely worn out.

Two weeks in the repair shop and a few thousand dollars later, we had our paid-off car back.

JSO told us the thieves are local teens stealing Hyundais and Kias for joy rides because… well… they can.

It all stated back in July of 2022 when some a-hole posted a video on TikTok demonstrating how easy it is to steal a Kia or Hyundai using a USB connector.

The video was posted on July 12 and by July 25 it was taken down.

Pandora’s box was opened.

Last year more than 91,000 Hyundais and 30,000 Kias were reported stolen.

JSO says more than 1,200 have been stolen in Jacksonville just this year!

The dramatic spike in car thefts has prompted the Sheriff’s Office to give away free steering wheel locks to Hyundai and Kia owners.

Owners who live in Duval County can pick up the lock at any local JSO substation weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This is part of the federal government’s annual Vehicle Theft Prevention Campaign. Apparently, summer is the most popular time to snatch someone else’s car, so the campaign runs every July.

The thieves who stole our car got away with it. Maybe one day they will get caught.

More than likely, they won’t.

Thankfully no one was hurt and in the end was just an unexpected expensive hassle for us.

To help prevent thieves from targeting your vehicle, JSO wants to remind everyone to always park in well-lit areas. Keep all windows closed and lock all doors when parked. Never leave valuables or keys in the car and never leave your car running unattended. 

JSO reminds drivers to park in well-lit areas, close and lock all windows and doors when parked, keep valuables out of sight, do not leave keys in their vehicle, and do not leave the area while their vehicle is running unattended.