A teenager has been arrested in San Antonio in connection with multiple thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles after he boasted about the crimes on social media. Nathaniel Ray Moreno, 17, was taken into custody on Thursday and charged with unauthorised use of a vehicle and theft of a vehicle valued between US$2,500 and US$30,000. He is believed to be responsible for six other thefts of Kia or Hyundai vehicles in the area.
An arrest affidavit revealed that investigators became aware of a livestream on Instagram showing three teenagers smoking THC vape pens inside a stolen Kia, while bragging about their ability to escape from the police. This livestream was posted on the page “120_kiaboys”, which frequently featured videos of stolen Kia vehicles, often with an iPhone charger.
The number of thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles has tripled in recent times, largely due to a TikTok trend. Criminals have discovered that these vehicles can be easily stolen by breaking the ignition cycle and starting the engine using a USB cable or screwdriver.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for the Instagram account and were able to identify Moreno in a video where he is seen inside a vehicle that had been reported stolen in May. In another video, posted on “120_kiaboys”, Moreno is seen entering a Kia with a damaged ignition and a broken right rear window. He is also seen with another individual as they search for a vehicle to steal.
County court records indicate that Moreno has a history of car theft-related charges dating back to February. He is scheduled to stand trial on August 30 for one of the stolen vehicle cases.
The San Antonio Express-News/Tribune News Service reports that the thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles have become a significant issue in the area, with an increasing number of cases being reported. Law enforcement agencies are working to address the problem and have advised vehicle owners to take precautions to protect their cars.
Credit: The Star : Tech Feed
