‘It’s been terrible’: Richmond woman speaks out after car was stolen, later found wrecked in a yard

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A Richmond woman is sharing her experience after she says her car was stolen, taken for a joy ride and then wrecked.

That woman, who wishes to go by the name Rebecca, said her black Kia sedan was stolen from her apartment parking lot in Shockoe Bottom. She said she woke up to go to work on Thursday, June 27, and realized it was gone.

“It’s been terrible, [it] just makes me feel unsafe,” Rebecca said. “I called the police, I reported it stolen [and] they found it later that day, at like 3pm, crashed into a fence in someone’s front yard.”

She believes her vehicle may have been targeted as part of the social media trend where thieves open the ignition area of a Kia or Hyundai and start the car using a USB chord.

“I don’t know how, when I get it back, I’m going to feel okay parking it outside again,” Rebecca said. “I’m one of the unfortunate people to own a Kia, so that doesn’t help either.”

Citywide, 861 cars, including mopeds and other types of vehicles, have been reported stolen by July 1 of 2024 compared to 666 by the same time in 2023, which is a 29% increase.

In the city’s first precinct, which includes Shockoe Bottom, car thefts (including mopeds and other types of vehicles) are down 12% by July 1, 2024. Car break-ins are also down 22% compared to the same time last year.

“There’s multiple cars just on the street with broken windows. And it just doesn’t seem like they’re really doing anything, so I thought maybe bringing attention to it would help,” Rebecca said. “Just make sure you have a steering wheel lock, do what you can.”

Richmond police urge residents to remove items from their vehicles, lock their doors, park in well-lit areas and always call 911 if they see anything suspicious.

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