SUV-Loving Thieves Steal 2 Kia Sportage Models From the Same Owner in 1 Month
The Kia Sportage is a respectable little crossover. With ample space, a low starting price, and great tech features, it is certainly a winner. It seems a set of Kia-loving robbers thought so as they decided to steal a pair of Sportage SUVs. In fact, according to CBS Denver reported by Motor1, a Denver man had two of his Kia crossovers stole within the same month.
How did 2 2018 Kia Sportage SUVs get stolen?
According to CBS Denver, this story began when a Denver man had his 2018 Kia Sportage stolen from his apartment in the middle of the night. In an interview with CBS Denver, the owner stated, “I didn’t know what to think…I had never experienced this before.” Thankfully, the man was able to purchase a new vehicle quite quickly after the incident. Since he liked his Kia crossover so much, he decided to buy yet another 2018 Sportage.
In a bit of a shocking twist, this second 2018 Kia Sported was stolen yet again. However, the second time, the crossover got stolen from the man’s workplace, not his apartment complex. In an interview with CBS Denver, the man stated, “I think part of my mistake was buying the same car. I should have gotten a different one.”
To add insult to injury, both vehicle thefts occurred within the span of one month. However, CBS Denver reports that plenty of other Kia owners have seen their vehicles stolen during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Why is the Sportage so enticing to robbers?
As great as the Kia Sportage may be, there is a more alarming reason why they’re getting stolen quite so frequently. According to CBS Denver citing the city of Denver, up to October 2020, auto thefts are up 50.5 percent over what they were in 2019. In 2019 just 4,248 cars were stolen during that same time period. In 2020 that number has risen considerably to 6,394. According to CBS Denver, citing the Denver Police Commander Rick Kyle, the increase in crime comes largely due to the global pandemic and the economic hardships it has brought.
This Kia Sportage theft situation either. In fact, CBS Denver reports that Kias have been getting stolen at an alarming rate. In January, just 8 Kias were stolen in Denver. Flash forward to November, and 74 Kias have been stolen in the city. According to Denver Police, about 80 percent of the stolen vehicles appear after just a few days. However, the two Sportage SUVs that were stolen from the Denver man never reappeared.
These are the most stolen vehicles in the U.S.
Since we know the Kia Sportage is particularly enticing to robbers in Denver, let’s look at the rest of the U.S. According to Insurify, two of the most stolen vehicles in the U.S. are the Honda Civic and Accord. While this may seem troubling for owners, keep in mind that these are two of the most popular models sold in the U.S.
From there, pickup trucks don’t fall far behind with the Ford F Series and Chevrolet Trucks high up on the list. Oddly enough, no Kia makes it into the list of most stolen vehicles on a national level. However, if you’re thinking of picking up a Kia Sportage in Denver, you may want to consider a different crossover.
