PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The St. Petersburg Police Department gave out all of the free anti-theft auto clubs out to the public, officials said on Tuesday. This included more than 100 free clubs in 24 hours.
Anyone who owned a 2021 or older Hyundai vehicle was eligible to get free anti-theft steering wheel locks, courtesy of the St. Petersburg Police Department.
Due to a number of break-ins and thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles in the St. Petersburg area, the police department was given a limited number of locks from the Hyundai Motor Company, stated the police department’s public information specialist Ken Knight in a press release.
“Investigators determined that car thieves are using a technique to break into the steering column to start the vehicles and steal them,” stated Knight.
He also gave tips on what drivers and owners can do to deter criminals from breaking into their vehicles, such as:
- Lock the doors
- Do not leave valuables in the vehicle or in plain sight
- And beware of your surroundings
People had to show proof of ownership, like vehicle registration, to pick up a lock.