PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Police in Port St. Lucie are working to combat the thefts of certain models of Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
In recent years, these vehicles have become common targets for thieves following viral social media videos.
The agency announced Monday that they are partnering with the automaker to offer free steering wheel locks for multiple models of Hyundais and Kias.
Greenacres
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Base models of some of the vehicles lack an engine immobilizer, a common anti-theft device that prevents a vehicle from starting unless the correct transponder is built into the smart key.
In response to the increased incidents of vehicle thefts, Hyundai and Kia are providing the locks for the years and models of vehicles listed below:
Hyundai
2011-2022 Accent
2011-2022 Elantra
2013-2017 Elantra GT
2013-2014 Elantra Coupe
2011-2012 Elantra Touring
2011-2014 Genesis Coupe
2018-2022 Kona
2020-2021 Palisade
2011-2012, 2019-2022 Santa Fe
2013-2018, 2019 Santa Fe; Santa Fe XL
2013-2018 Santa Fe Sport
2011-2019 Sonata
2011-2022 Tucson
2012-2017, 2019-2021 Veloster
2020-2021 Venue
2011-2012 Veracruz
Kia
2011-2021 Forte
2021-2022 K5
2011-2020 Optima
2011-2021 Rio
2011-2021 Sedona
2021-2022 Seltos
2010-2022 Soul
2011-2022 Sorento
2011-2022 Sportage
Port St Lucie
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Drivers who have one of the vehicles in the list above can obtain a free steering wheel lock from the Port St. Lucie Police Department located at 121 Southwest Port St. Lucie Blvd., Building C, Port St. Lucie, 34984.
To qualify, you must be a resident of Port St. Lucie, present a valid identification such as a Florida driver's license or identification card and provide proof of vehicle ownership, such as a Florida vehicle registration or title.
The locks will only be available by scheduling an appointment with Port St. Lucie Police Department Crime Prevention Unit Specialist Aubree Ward at Award@cityofpsl.com.
Once registered for an appointment, drivers will need to bring their vehicle to the Port St. Lucie Police Department where officers will verify the information is correct.
The Port St. Lucie Police Department said they will not mail the steering wheel locks and quantity is limited to one per person.
For more information on the initiative and to schedule an appointment, residents can contact Ward at (772) 871-5027.
Police said they have at least 300 wheel locks available.
In October and November, Port St. Lucie police said they responded to seven stolen cars and 13 attempted thefts in the southwestern part of the city — all of the vehicles were either Kias or Hyundais.
The majority of cases were cleared after a 12-year-old boy confessed to the thefts and attempted thefts.
"It doesn't mean it's just one person, and it shows that these types of trends pop up and can do some damage," Port St. Lucie Police Department Deputy Chief Marc DiMeo.
Police said of the stolen vehicles, all but one was recovered.
Two major car insurers announced last year they were planning to drop coverage for some Kia and Hyundai models due to a spike in their thefts.