Seven kids between the ages of 10 and 15 were arrested in Jacksonville this month on charges of auto theft and robbery after stealing (and in one case crashing) cars. The arrests come in the midst of a surge in thefts of Kias and Hyundais, part of a national trend tied to viral social media videos that explain how to take advantage of security flaws in the vehicles. Last year, 198 Kias and Hyundais were stolen in Jacksonville. So far this year, that number is up to 711. Sheriff T.K. Waters is urging owners to ask their manufacturers whether a software update could help. He also recommends they install anti-theft immobilizers.
