Honda Accords, for years, have ranked as the vehicle most likely to be stolen in Manteca

That’s no longer the case after a TikTok video started circulating that demonstrated how a USB device could be used to comprise design flaws on older model Kias and Hyundais that allow them to be stolen.

That has made a Manteca resident owning a Hyundai the No. 1 target of thieves with Kias close behind.

It is why the Manteca Police Department, through efforts led by Community Service Officer Misty Coleman, has secured 120 steering wheel locks from Kia.

They will be distributed free this Saturday, from 10 a.m. to noon, at a drive through event at the Manteca Civic Center/Manteca Police Department complex, 1001 W. Center St.

Coleman — who typically handles stolen vehicle reports for Manteca Police — noted that she and her fellow CSOs have never had a report filed regarding a vehicle stolen with a steering wheel lock in place.

To be eligible for the free steering wheel lock program residents need to bring their proof of residency – either a credit card statement, utility statement, or mortgage statement that shows a Manteca address – and the registration for the vehicle that qualifies.

Hyundai models must be a 2021 or older model to qualify, while there are no stipulations for Kia vehicles.

Such steering wheel locks typically cost $20 to $40 to purchase.

Coleman noted there are two distinct groups of culprits using the TikTok tutorial video to steal Kias.

Those that do so for joy rides and those that steal them to strip for parts.

Kias and Hyundas that get stolen in Manteca and elsewhere in the Northern San Joaquin Valley often end up in chop shops in the Oakland area.

Coleman noted a local dealership with later model Kias that do not have design flaws that allow the use od USB style phone chargers to steal them, recently had a half dozen vehicles damaged by people trying to steal them but were unable to use the steps illustrated in the TikTok video to do so.

The most prolific thief of Kias and Hyundais in Cook County where Chicago is located has been an 11- year-old.

The Kia and Hyundai theft headquarters for the United States has been Minneapolis. That is where in 2022 there were 2,340 Kia and Hyundai thefts reported. That reflected an 836 percent increase over the previous year.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com