Sophie Sonnenfeld, Contributing Photographer

The Yale and New Haven Police Departments are working to set up a task force that will potentially curb auto theft in New Haven and surrounding towns.

The task force — which will also include Southern Connecticut State University’s police and other New Haven County police departments — plans to crack down on a juvenile car thief group dubbed the Connecticut Kia Boyz, according to NHPD officer Christian Bruckhart. The group mainly targets Kias and Hyundais — the two brands’ vehicles manufactured before 2021 do not have immobilizers, an electronic security device that can prevent car thefts. 

“The task force dealing specifically with the Kia Boyz is in the works,” Bruckhart told the News. “There’s going to be some discussions going on between the different agencies on how they’re going to best approach the issue.”

In a typical car theft, one of the Kia Boyz will shatter the Kia’s passenger window and use a flathead screwdriver to disable the lock cylinder. Then, they will place a USB cord in the ignition. Unless the vehicle has an electronic security device installed, this method will start the car.

After going on joyrides and evading police officers, the Kia Boyz eventually sell the cars to older community members as one-time getaway vehicles for more severe crimes. The boys resell the cars for between $50 and $100, according to a YouTube documentary.

The Kia Boyz movement launched in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in early 2021 but has since spread across the nation. Connecticut saw a 33 percent increase in auto thefts in 2023. 

There has been a 151.8 percent increase in motor vehicle theft in New Haven since April, according to Yale Police Chief Anthony Campbell. 

Campbell emailed the Yale community about a rise in reckless driving and auto theft on Sept. 5, though he did not name the Kia Boyz specifically.

“These incidents involve teenagers operating motor vehicles in a reckless manner, posing a significant risk to public safety,” Campbell wrote. “In some cases, these individuals have engaged in dangerous behavior such as taunting other drivers, encircling their vehicles or backing into them and then fleeing. These incidents have occurred at various times throughout the day and week across the city.”

Campbell’s email noted that the YPD is providing wheel locks for Kia and Hyundai vehicles to “community members” free of charge.

The Yale Police Department confirmed its involvement in the task force and credited Police Chief Karl Jacobson with organizing the initiative in a statement to the News. 

“The Yale Police Department shares information and resources in its ongoing partnership with the New Haven Police Department,” a spokesperson for the YPD wrote. “By sharing information and continuing to work collaboratively, the departments can focus on reducing the number of incidents involving car theft throughout the city.”

Bruckhart said that current topics under negotiation include the number of officers from each department assigned to the task force, who will lead the initiative, the specific duties of the participants and matters of jurisdiction.

“Let’s say, hypothetically, an officer is in Woodbridge, but he’s assigned to a task force in New Haven, and he gets hurt, who covers it? It’s not as simple as, ‘Oh, come on over, let’s go to work,’” Bruckhart said. “The chiefs all need to be in agreement on what they want to do. It’s not impossible. It’s just there’s some logistical issues that are more involved. And just, hey, we want to go take care of stolen cars.”

A public information officer from the Woodbridge Police Department told the News that they had heard of plans for the task force but had not been involved. A dispatcher from the Orange Police Department said its officers are not involved in the task force.

The Wallingford Police Department is one of the regional law enforcement agencies that plans to join the task force. Lieutenant Stephen Jaques, a Wallingford public information officer, said collaboration with neighboring police departments is crucial when addressing auto thefts. 

“Working together gives law enforcement a more effective and efficient way to deal with these types of crime to better safeguard our communities,” Jaques said. “The actions of these individuals are reckless [and] dangerous, and law enforcement needs to work together to address the issue and to restore a sense of safety to all communities in New Haven County.”

Southern Connecticut State University’s campus police department, which is involved in task force negotiations, did not respond to the News’ requests for comment.

Kia and Hyundai owners can get a free software update at their local car dealership to prevent the Kia Boyz’s method from starting their car.