Tacoma Area Stolen Cars

08/16/2023

04/19/2023

AFRICA-BOUND STOLEN VEHICLES RECOVERED FROM CARGO SHIP

At the end of March, our detectives assisted the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in identifying and recovering two stolen 2022 Nissan Armadas.

The SUVs were fraudulently purchased in California using false identifications and financial documents. They were delivered to the Port of Seattle and loaded onto a container ship bound for Africa.

During a cargo inspection, CBP agents discovered manifest discrepancies and ordered the ship back to port. The container was removed from the ship and the SUVs were subsequently unloaded.

One of the SUVs had already been reported stolen, and the bank was in the process of reporting the other SUV stolen as well.

Our task force regularly teams up with local, state and federal agencies to recover stolen vehicles and make arrests.

01/21/2023

Kia and Hyundai Vehicle Thefts on the Rise

Tacoma Police Department and law enforcement agencies all over the country, are seeing an uptick in vehicle thefts. Kia and Hyundai vehicles make up the greatest percentage of those thefts. From January 1 to January 15, 2023, 348 vehicles were stolen in Tacoma, 48% of which were Kia and Hyundai models. Comparatively, between January 1 through January 15, 2022, 207 vehicles were stolen of which 5% were Kia and Hyundai models.

The vehicles most at risk for theft are 2011 – 2021 Kia models and 2015 – 2021 Hyundai models that require a key to turn on the ignition.

Recommendations to help prevent vehicle theft:
• Install a steering wheel locking device
• Install a battery disconnect switch
• Install a kill switch (may require professional installation)
• Install an aftermarket anti-theft system (may require professional installation)
• Lock all windows and doors
• Park in a well-lit area
• Park in a secured location (garage, parking structure, etc.)
• Install a GPS tracking device
If you see someone trying to steal a vehicle, do not confront them, call 911. If your vehicle is stolen and the crime is not in progress, call the non-emergency number at (253) 287-4455.

TPD urges guardians to be aware:
Many of the Kia and Hyundai vehicles stolen recently have been used in violent crimes including armed robberies, drive-by shootings, and joyriding on city streets at high rates of speed. The suspects, and victims, in these cases are often juveniles. The Tacoma Police Department urges parents to speak with their children about the dangers of these activities.


Kia and Hyundai Vehicle Thefts on the Rise

Tacoma Police Department and law enforcement agencies all over the country, are seeing an uptick in vehicle thefts. Kia and Hyundai vehicles make up the greatest percentage of those thefts. From January 1 to January 15, 2023, 348 vehicles were stolen in Tacoma, 48% of which were Kia and Hyundai models. Comparatively, between January 1 through January 15, 2022, 207 vehicles were stolen, of which 5% were Kia and Hyundai models.

The vehicles most at risk for theft are 2011 – 2021 Kia models and 2015 – 2021 Hyundai models that require a key to turn on the ignition.

Recommendations to help prevent vehicle theft:
• Install a steering wheel locking device
• Install a battery disconnect switch
• Install a kill switch (may require professional installation)
• Install an aftermarket anti-theft system (may require professional installation)
• Lock all windows and doors
• Park in a well-lit area
• Park in a secured location (garage, parking structure, etc.)
• Install a GPS tracking device
If you see someone trying to steal a vehicle, do not confront them, call 911. If your vehicle is stolen and the crime is not in progress, call the non-emergency number at (253) 287-4455.

TPD urges guardians to be aware:
Many of the Kia and Hyundai vehicles stolen recently have been used in violent crimes including armed robberies, drive-by shootings, and joyriding on city streets at high rates of speed. The suspects, and victims, in these cases are often juveniles. The Tacoma Police Department urges parents to speak with their children about the dangers of these activities.

01/20/2023

12/22/2022

HYUNDAI, KIA DRIVERS URGED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO PREVENT THEFT

Yesterday, 39 vehicles were stolen in Pierce County. Twenty (20) of them were Hyundai/Kia models.

Certain Hyundai and Kia models produced from 2011 to 2021 are extremely vulnerable to theft. If you own a 2011-2021 Hyundai or Kia, and you use a standard metal key to turn-start your vehicle, this message is for you.

Experienced thieves and juveniles alike have learned how to start these vehicles without a key, thanks to videos circulating on social media. Thieves will break your window, pop off the steering column, start your car using nothing more than a USB cable, and will be gone in under a minute.

That’s why if you own one of these models, it’s extremely important that you take immediate steps to reduce your risk of becoming a victim. We encourage you to purchase an anti-theft device, such as a steering wheel lock (think ‘The Club’ from the 90’s), which can be purchased online for $40.

While many stolen vehicles do get recovered by our task force and other police agencies, they are often found in an undriveable condition or have extensive damage and/or drug contamination. We don’t want this to happen to your vehicle, so we encourage you to take action today.

12/03/2022

Stolen 12/3/22 from Hilltop.
1997 Chevy 1500 truck teal with flashing work light bar on the top. White mirror on drivers side door.
Plate Case #2233700688
reportedly seen near Pine St post office near the Tacoma Mall.

11/09/2022

2018 Kia Optima Black Navy Mom license plate frame

11/09/2022

2008 grey Chrysler

11/09/2022

11/09/2022

96 Silverado extended cab