Skyway business owner becomes latest victim of Hyundai thefts after viral TikTok trend
Feb 28, 2023, 6:49 AM | Updated: 7:42 am
(Photo from KIRO 7)
(Photo from KIRO 7)
Miles Stanberry was unaware of the recent viral TikTok challenge that enabled criminals to use a thumb drive to start Kia and Hyundai cars until he became a victim of the thefts.
Stanberry, owner of Moon Village Bakery in Skyway, says he relied on the 2020 Hyundai Venue to make deliveries. Margins are thin, and the baker says he’d also use the car as a Lyft driver to make ends meet.
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“For the first time in my life, I felt like I was getting to the point where I wasn’t struggling so much,” said Stanberry. “And then, I just get sideswiped by this.”
According to Tacoma police, on Feb. 19, thieves stole his car, took it for a joyride and crashed it into a Tacoma home.
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that more than 3.8 million Hyundai and 4.5 million Kia vehicles are eligible for a software update that could protect them from theft.
Stanberry said he never got the memo. He believes manufacturers should be held accountable.
“They built a car that is incredibly easy to steal,” said Stanberry. “They should be reimbursing people or helping people get cars when these things have happened.”
A GoFundMe account was set up to support Stanberry and his family after the loss.
In response to the increase in stolen vehicles, these Pierce County law enforcement agencies are now offering free steering wheel locks to owners of Kia and Hyundai:
- Lakewood Police Department
- Puyallup Police Department
- Edgewood Police Department
- Eatonville Police Department
- University Place Police Department (available beginning Feb. 28)
- Bonney Lake Police Department
- Buckley Police Department
- Fife Police Department
- Fircrest Police Department
- Steilacoom Police Department
- Sumner Police Department
- Federal Way Police Department
- Auburn Police Department
- Des Moines Police Department
- SeaTac Police Department
- Enumclaw Police Department
To receive a free lock, owners must bring their registration and key to show they own a 2011 – 2021 key-start Hyundai or Kia.
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