( KRON ) — In response to a nationwide surge in Hyundai thefts, one Bay Area sheriff’s office is taking a proactive approach. The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday it would be distributing 100 free steering wheel locks to eligible Hyundai owners as part of a crime prevention initiative.
The locks were provided by the Hyundai Motor Company, SCCSO said, and will be available at the department’s headquarters at 55 W. Younger Avenue in San Jose. The locks will be available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. as long as supply lasts.
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The free lock initiative follows an increase in thefts of certain Hyundai models that lack engine immobilizers that are typically found in newer vehicles. Thefts of Hyundais have risen across the county by more than 1,000% since 2020, SCCSO said.
Part of the reason behind the rise, according to law enforcement officials, are viral social media videos that show viewers how to exploit the security vulnerabilities on a Hyundai…