The infamous “TikTok Challenge” on Kia cars has become a serious problem on our island. Many cars are being destroyed, incurring significant costs for the owners, resulting in partial or complete damage as perpetrators attempt to cover up their crimes.
In the early morning hours, a resident who was getting ready for work was surprised to find that his vehicle, a silver Kia Rio, was no longer parked outside. He mentioned that the night before, he arrived home around 10:30 pm, and by 6:00 am, the car was gone. This incident occurred in Alto Vista.
He contacted the police, and they immediately activated and searched different neighborhoods to see if they could locate the vehicle. Neighborhood police, alert to any strange movements, found the abandoned vehicle in the Madiki Kavel area. After verification, it was confirmed that it was indeed the car involved in the joyride in Alto Vista during the early morning hours.
There is a specific maneuver and a pattern of damage when engaging in this ‘challenge,’ involving breaking the starter switch, using a USB connected to the vehicle to start it, and then taking it for a ride. Unfortunately, part of the challenge also involves the destruction of the vehicle, as many participants break windows, hit streetlights, or leave them destroyed in remote areas.
Police investigations are underway, actively seeking ways to stop this activity among the youth. It has become a competition to accumulate the most vehicles, but in the process, the owners of each vehicle are the ones who suffer, facing significant expenses to repair the damages caused.
