TRENTON, NJ – In a surprising revelation, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matt Platkin have pinpointed a technical flaw in Hyundai and Kia vehicles, which they believe has contributed significantly to the recent spike in auto thefts across the state.
Governor Murphy remarked, “Approximately 143,000 Hyundais and Kias registered in New Jersey have a security vulnerability making them susceptible to thieves — accounting for 19% of all auto thefts in the state. Let’s work together to reduce auto thefts statewide.”
Attorney General Matt Platkin further elaborated on the worrying trend, saying, “A recent trend shows just how easy it is to steal Hyundais and Kias.
But no matter what you’ve heard, there ARE steps you can take to safeguard your vehicle from theft and the violent crime it can fuel.” He urged vehicle owners to see if their cars are eligible for an anti-theft upgrade by visiting the official website at http://njoag.gov/hyundaikiatheft.
In response to this concern, programs have been launched to offer free wheel locks for owners of the said car makes, providing an immediate, albeit temporary, solution while more permanent measures are considered.
New Jersey has recently passed laws to undo orders by former Attorney General Gurbir Grewal which softened penalties for car thieves while handcuffing police officers’ ability to apprehend car thieves and keep them behind bars.
Neither Murphy nor Platkin addressed the growing trend of inner-city car theft operations using teens to target high end cars in the suburbs across the state.