Richmond Police attempt to decrease motor theft with free steering wheel lock giveaway

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Richmond Police Department held a free steering wheel lock giveaway in an effort to decrease motor vehicle thefts within the city.

On Sunday, July 21, officers gave away steering wheel locks specifically to Richmond residents who own Hyundai and Kia vehicles. According to Lieutenant James Hogan, those vehicles were targeted the most.

“Last year, 2023, as well as so far this year, in 2024, we have seen such a significant increase in motor vehicle thefts — specifically from the brands of Hyundai and Kia — that we try to do these incrementally where we get the steering wheel locks out to citizens,” Hogan said.

According to data from the Richmond Police Department , almost 200 more motor vehicle thefts have happened so far this year compared to the same time in 2023 — which is a 27% increase.

Richmond resident Nikita Williams said her car was broken into while running errands Saturday morning.

“[I] walked outside, window was broken, walked over to the car like ‘what in the world’ dashboard [was] torn all up,” Williams said.

She said she wants everyone to protect themselves and their cars from lurking thieves.

“People work hard for the things that they get, and it’s just not fair that someone feels that they can come and just take what you worked so hard to get,” Williams said. “I’m just glad that the police understand that that’s really a big problem and becoming a bigger problem and doing what they can to help.”

Authorities say the next giveaway will take place Wednesday, August 17.

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