December 18, 2023 – Fond du Lac Co., WI – Sunday night a Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s deputy spotted a Kia Soul driving at a high rate of speed and swerving vigorously back and forth down Martin Avenue.
This driving behavior was representative of the auto theft activity of a group calling themselves “Kia Boys” or “Kia Boyz” who specifically target certain Kia and Hyundai vehicles for theft due to a known vulnerability that allows a thief to quickly hotwire and steal vehicles built by those two specific manufacturers. At the end of this pursuit it was determined this 14-year-old juvenile who recently moved here from Chicago had stolen the vehicle and was the driver involved in the pursuit.
Unlike many big cities throughout the country who are experiencing a significant increase in Kia Boys thefts, we are not experiencing the same spike here. However, it’s important for residents who own these vehicles to be aware of the risks and research ways to further protect your vehicles from potential theft by contacting your dealership for options or purchasing aftermarket anti-theft devices.
MEDIA RELEASE
On Sunday, December 17, 2023 at approximately 9:34pm, a Sergeant with the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office observed a vehicle traveling southbound on Martin Avenue near Pioneer Road in the City of Fond du Lac at a high rate of speed. The Sergeant activated his emergency lights and siren, attempting to stop the vehicle. The suspect continued to increase his speeds, disregarding the Sergeant’s signals to stop and a pursuit ensued.
The suspect continued southbound on Martin Avenue at a high rate of speed before approaching Highway 151. He then turned south on Highway 151. He continued southbound on Highway 151, traveling over Interstate 41. The suspect eventually came to a stop on Highway 151 near Hickory Street. He was taken into custody without incident following a high-risk stop.
The suspect was identified as a 14 year old juvenile male from the City of Fond du Lac. Through investigation it was discovered the juvenile had broken into and hot-wired the pursued vehicle shortly before the pursuit was initiated. The juvenile later admitted to breaking into and hot-wiring a second vehicle the night before, abandoning it, after having crashed into the ditch on Pioneer Road in the City of Fond du Lac.
The juvenile was transported to Fond du Lac County Secure Detention and is being held on Felony Fleeing/Elude an Officer, Operate Motor Vehicle without Owner’s Consent and Criminal Damage to Property. He was also issued several traffic citations related to the pursuit.
The pursuit covered a distance of approximately 2.5 miles. No civilian or law enforcement vehicles were damaged during the pursuit.
The City of Fond du Lac Police Department assisted the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office during the incident.
Sergeant Matthew Riemenschneider #154