‘Kia Boyz’ car thieves crash car into Wright Park pond, brandish gun at school
Racing car thieves drove a Kia through Tacoma’s Wright Park and crashed into the park’s duck pond Friday morning. The occupants got away by stealing a nearby Hyundai, Tacoma Police said.
For police, and the car thieves, the day began about 8:15 a.m. when reports came in from the 800 block of 6th Avenue. Callers reported several males in a Kia were brandishing guns, driving on sidewalks and coming close to striking children, police said.
That car was later crashed into the pond and abandoned. Little to no damage to the park occurred, said Metro Parks Tacoma spokesperson Stacia Glenn.
There were then several reports of attempts to steal Huyndais and Kias.
At approximately 10:39 a.m., occupants of a reported stolen Huyndai brandished a gun at a school patrol officer at Hilltop Heritage Middle School.
Police gave chase to the fleeing suspects in the stolen Huyndai. The pursuit was terminated when police determined the risks to the public were too great for it to continue, Tacoma Police spokesperson Det. William Muse.
In a statement, Tacoma Public Schools said Hilltop Heritage had two modified lockdowns Friday in response to erratic driving and the weapon brandishing on campus. It’s now had a total of seven modified lockdowns and two full lockdowns this school year.
Three of the modified lockdowns, including Friday’s, and one full lockdown were related to erratic driving on the streets surrounding the school and through the school parking lot, TPS said.
The crime spree is the latest in a rash of car thefts, usually by teenage suspects, who sometimes call themselves the “Kia Boyz.” They target easy to steal Kia and Huyndai models
“These things are becoming more and more frequent,” Muse said. They’re also becoming more bold. Users of social media who identify as the Kia Boys will mock the police on the platforms, he said.
Kia and Huyandai owners are encouraged to use anti-theft devices such as four-prong clubs and ignition cutoff switches.
This story was originally published November 17, 2023 at 5:54 PM.
