Glendale, Arizona – A summer of illicit joyrides for two underage individuals came to an abrupt end in Glendale, Arizona, as authorities apprehended a 12-year-old and a 13-year-old. The pair are accused of a spree of car thefts, targeting Hyundai and Kia models particularly vulnerable due to a notorious social media trend that gained traction in 2022. This incident highlights the ongoing impact of the so-called “Kia Challenge.”

The arrests followed a tip from concerned citizens who reported a Kia Optima being driven erratically. Glendale police officers quickly located the vehicle and observed two young individuals fleeing the scene. A pursuit ensued, with the suspects evading capture by scaling fences and utilizing residential backyards as escape routes. Undeterred, law enforcement deployed a drone, which proved instrumental in spotting the boys hiding beneath an RV trailer. Both were taken into custody.

During questioning, the youths confessed to their involvement in a social media collective, widely believed to be connected to the infamous “Kia Boys.” This group is known for its pattern of stealing vehicles, often for the thrill of joyriding and subsequently sharing footage of their exploits online. The arrested boys admitted to specifically targeting Kia and Hyundai vehicles that relied on traditional key ignitions. This deliberate choice stemmed from their knowledge of a significant vulnerability exploited by a TikTok trend, which allows for the ignition of these particular car models using rudimentary tools like a USB cable.

The viral “Kia Challenge” on TikTok exposed a critical flaw: the absence of an engine immobilizer in many Kia and Hyundai vehicles manufactured between 2011 and 2021. Videos demonstrated how easy it was to bypass security by dismantling the steering column and accessing the ignition mechanism. While both Hyundai and Kia have since released software updates to address this vulnerability, a substantial number of affected vehicles on the road remain unpatched. The two apprehended youths are believed to have stolen nearly a dozen vehicles, underscoring the fact that many owners have not yet applied the crucial anti-theft update, despite the widespread issue that has led to thousands of car thefts across the United States.

The motivation behind these thefts, according to the boys, was the pursuit of adrenaline and the act of performing drifts and donuts. The younger of the two, despite initially claiming he hadn’t stolen any cars out of fear of his mother, admitted to being drawn in by the sheer thrill of it all, as detailed in a police release. In addition to the nearly dozen vehicles confirmed stolen by the suspects, police also recovered two additional vehicles – a Kia Optima and a Hyundai Elantra – that had not been reported stolen, indicating that the investigation is ongoing. The two boys have been booked at Glendale City Jail and face numerous charges, including criminal trespassing.