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The Hyundai Boys Hit Lot 91: How a TikTok Trend Reached East Lansing

MImotor vehicle thefttimely warningmedium confidence
Under Investigation

Michigan State University Police received reports of a series of motor vehicle thefts in Lot 91 on April 14, 2024, with suspects targeting 2012-2022 Hyundai vehicles. A theft and an attempted theft were reported over two days, part of the nationwide 'Kia Boys' trend that exploited a security vulnerability in certain Hyundai and Kia models. MSU Police issued a timely warning to the campus community.

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1
Response
Killed
Injured
Institution
Michigan State University
Public R1 · MI
~50,000 studentsEverbridgeMSU Alert
Confirmed Timeline

Alert Sequence

1 message in sequence

Some alert texts below are approximate reconstructions from news coverage, not confirmed verbatim transcripts. Reconstructed texts are shown in italic with a dashed border. Verified verbatim texts have a solid border and are marked accordingly.

INITIAL ALERTEmail
Approximate reconstruction956 chars
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY POLICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY TIMELY WARNING Incident: Series of Motor Vehicle Thefts Date: April 14, 2024 Location: Lot 91 On April 14, 2024, Michigan State University Police received a report of a Series of Motor Vehicle Thefts in Lot 91. In the last two days a pattern has developed regarding thefts of motor vehicles in the area. There has been a theft and an attempted theft of a motor vehicle in Lot 91. Suspects appear to be targeting 2012-2022 Hyundai vehicles. Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact the MSU Police Department at (517) 355-2221. Safety Tips: - Always lock your vehicle and take your keys - Park in well-lit areas - If you own a 2012-2022 Hyundai or Kia vehicle, consider using a steering wheel lock or other anti-theft device - Report any suspicious activity near parking lots to MSU Police immediately This Timely Warning is issued in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

The specific targeting of 2012-2022 Hyundai vehicles aligns with the nationwide 'Kia Boys' trend that exploited a security vulnerability allowing certain Hyundai and Kia models to be started with a USB cable
Lot 91 is a large surface parking lot on MSU's campus that serves commuter students and is relatively isolated, making it a target for vehicle theft
The safety tip recommending steering wheel locks for specific vehicle years and makes is unusually specific for a timely warning and reflects the well-documented nature of this particular theft method
Context

Background

The April 2024 motor vehicle thefts at Michigan State University were part of the nationwide Kia Boys phenomenon, a trend originating on social media that taught people how to steal certain Hyundai and Kia models manufactured between 2011 and 2022 using a USB cable to bypass the ignition. According to CBS Detroit, MSU police had warned of a rise in vehicle thefts on campus and in the greater Lansing area. The State News reported that burglary and other property crimes rose at MSU in 2024. Hyundai and Kia eventually issued software updates to address the vulnerability, but many older vehicles on college campuses remained unpatched. The Purdue Exponent reported similar trends at other Big Ten campuses. MSU's timely warning page archives these notifications alongside emergency alerts distributed through the Everbridge platform.
Analysis

Key Findings

The targeting of 2012-2022 Hyundai vehicles directly connects this campus crime pattern to the nationwide Kia Boys social media trend that exploited a specific manufacturing vulnerability
Motor vehicle theft is one of the less common Clery Act timely warning categories, but the serial nature of the thefts in Lot 91 established the 'continuing threat' necessary for a timely warning
MSU's recommendation of steering wheel locks for specific vehicle makes and model years represents an unusually targeted safety recommendation in a timely warning
College campus parking lots are particularly vulnerable to the Kia Boys method because they contain large numbers of unattended vehicles for extended periods
Outcome
Multiple vehicles targeted in Lot 91. Investigation ongoing. MSU Police advised owners of affected vehicle models to use steering wheel locks.
Provenance

Sources

  1. Official
  2. News
  3. Student Paper
Tags
motor-vehicle-thefttimely-warningmichigankia-boyshyundaiparking-lotsocial-media-trendUnder Investigation
Added April 2026Updated April 2026Via ingestion