INITIAL ALERTEmail
Clery Timely Warning – Motor Vehicle Theft
Date of Notice: October 28, 2024
Incident Type: Motor Vehicle Theft / Attempted Motor Vehicle Theft
Location: Taylor Street Parking Structure, 475 N. 2nd Street, Phoenix
On October 28, 2024, the ASU Police Department received a report of a completed Motor Vehicle theft and two additional reports of attempted thefts that occurred at Taylor Street Parking Structure located at 475 N. 2nd Street Phoenix.
A 2019 Kia Optima was stolen sometime between Oct. 27 and Oct. 28. On those same days, unknown suspect(s) tore the door handle off a 2011 Hyundai Sonata, and also tore a door handle, broke the quarter panel and destroyed the steering column on a 2019 Hyundai Elantra, indicating potential theft attempts.
There is no suspect description available at this time.
This Timely Warning is being issued in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act in order to alert members of the campus community of a serious or continuing threat.
Safety Recommendations: Owners of 2011-2021 Kia and 2015-2021 Hyundai vehicles are encouraged to install the manufacturer's free anti-theft software upgrade and to use a steering wheel lock. Park in well-lit areas. Report suspicious activity to the ASU Police Department at (480) 965-3456.
ASU's Clery archive (cfo.asu.edu/clery-timely-warning) is one of the largest publicly indexed timely warning collections from a single institution
The Kia/Hyundai vulnerability (no engine immobilizer in 2011-2021 Kias and 2015-2021 Hyundais) drove a viral TikTok-fueled theft trend known as the 'Kia Challenge' or 'Kia Boys'
The level of damage to the Hyundais ('tore the door handle off,' 'destroyed the steering column') indicates the suspects attempted to bypass the ignition lock — classic Kia Challenge MO
Three vehicles in one structure on the same days suggests organized targeting rather than opportunistic theft
Continuing-threat framing is appropriate because the suspects are unidentified and the structure remained accessible
Including specific safety advice (anti-theft software upgrade, steering wheel lock) is best practice for property-crime timely warnings — converts notification to actionable prevention
Mountain Standard Time (-07:00) — Arizona does not observe daylight saving time