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Atlanta City Council discusses legal possibilities after series of Kia, Hyundai car thefts

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Published  April 4, 2023 5:32pm EDT
Atlanta
FOX 5 Atlanta

City leaders weigh legal action in Kia, Hyundai car theft cases

An Atlanta leader would like to hold Kia and Hyundai responsible for a dramatic increase in car thefts in the area. Councilman Dustin Hillis has asked the city attorney to consider taking legal action.

ATLANTA - There has been a dramatic jump in auto thefts in Atlanta linked to two car models.

A city leader, who chairs the Atlanta City Council Public Safety Committee, has asked the city attorney to weigh possible legal action against the car company.

Dustin Hillis and fellow council members got a briefing showing how quickly thieves have been able to steal Kia and Hyundai cars. 

In the first three months of 2022, 49 Kia and Hyundai vehicles were stolen in Atlanta. 

(FOX 5)

Now, in 2023, for the same time period, the number jumped to 419.

Hillis, who acknowledged owning a Kia, is critical of the time it has taken for the car company to address a steering wheel issue. Law enforcement blames the issue for the ease in which criminals can start up these vehicles and drive away.

"What is the cost to the city for police officers to respond?" asked Hillis to Atlanta Police Deputy Chief Timothy Peek.

(FOX 5)

With car theft driving overall crime numbers in Atlanta, Hillis thinks there may be financial damages that could be recouped if the city attorney does take action.

The car company reports it does have a software fix being made available to owners.

Before that, it made available free of charge a steering wheel locking device.

The Atlanta Police Department is scheduled to talk about this problem during a news conference at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.