At least 12 cars stolen in Aliquippa due to national social media theft trend

ALIQUIPPA, Pa. — A social media challenge targeting Kia and Hyundai vehicles is hitting home.

At least 20 cars in four local communities were stolen in just a few days.

Twelve cars have been targeted and stolen in Aliquippa since Monday, all Kias and Hyundais. Behind the thefts are who police believe to be juveniles taking them for joy rides.

“A lot of times we are finding that they are running the cars out of gas and just leaving them, or they are going to wreck them. It’s every single night to multiple cars,” said Sgt. Nicco D’Arrigo with Aliquippa police.

Police said a woman was dropping off a book at the library but when she walked back outside to the street where she parked her car, it was gone. She’s one of a dozen victims in Aliquippa who had their car stolen in the last few days.

Channel 11 got an exclusive look of three stolen cars Aliquippa police recovered. One has a busted out window. The other two cars were damaged, too.

A worker showed us how the thieves use an USB to turn on the car in just seconds. Midland had two stolen cars, Ambridge had six and Hopewell Township was also hit. Hopewell Township just put a notice out on Facebook. So far, Aliquippa police have caught one teenager in connection to the thefts.

“And Ambridge made an arrest of three juveniles,” said Sgt. D’Arrigo.

Police said they are working together and looking into leads for more possible suspects. But this TikTok trend has many people concerned, like Andrenna Williams, who owns a Kia.

“It’s very scary. We are on heightened alert around here,” said Williams.

Police are warning people who own a Kia or Hyundai to be extra cautious, and if your car has been recalled, get it checked right away.

“It actually makes me really worried, and I’m going to go ahead and do that recall paperwork now,” said Williams.

The Beaver County District Attorney Dave Lozier said they are taking these thefts very seriously. Lozier said they are looking at serious repercussions and will hold the juveniles accountable.

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