Desperate mom’s car stolen for second time by the ‘Kia Boys.’ The police knows how they did it, but they can’t stop the thieves

A San Antonio mother of three is dealing with the nightmare of having her Kia Soul stolen for the second time. Only this time, surveillance video caught it being driven recklessly through her own neighborhood. 

Kelsey Kellerhouse was woken up by her husband at 3:30 AM on Wednesday with the news that her 2016 Kia Soul was missing from their home. The frustration quickly turned into horror when neighborhood cameras caught the driver recklessly drifting through the streets, doing doughnuts. “It was horrifying because not only can my car have something happen to it, but he could have gotten crashed into people’s homes.” 

Unfortunately, Kia models sold before 2022 have a very well-known flaw. Per Yahoo News, these cars have gained notoriety for being easily stolen with nothing more than a USB cable, which was then popularized on TikTok as a social media challenge. The method allows thieves to bypass the ignition and start the vehicle in mere seconds, and has slowly led to a national crisis.

Well, there goes any trust I had in these brands

The “Kia Boys” phenomenon began in Wisconsin, resulting in thousands of thefts across the U.S between 2021 and 2022. You’ve probably seen the viral videos where teens stole Kias and Hyundais. Many of these reckless joyrides often ended in vandalized cars, crashes, or even police chases. The core of the issue is that certain 2011–2021 models lack engine immobilizers, making them incredibly easy targets. 

By 2022, police were linking a huge surge in car thefts directly to this “Kia Boys” trend. Victims frequently found their cars wrecked or even used in other crimes. Local officials in Missouri even sued Kia and Hyundai, arguing that the lack of anti-theft technology made these cars unsafe. The trend eventually led to eight fatalities before Kia and Hyundai agreed to retrofit over 9 million vehicles with anti-theft hardware as part of a multi-state settlement in 2025. 

For Kellerhouse, the loss of her car completely crippled her family’s daily routine. “I manage a business and they rely on me, so not only not being able to get my children to school but not being able to be there for my center was really, really hard for me,” she explained. The tip that finally led to the car’s recovery came from a neighbor who reported a reckless driver to the police.

Officers were able to locate the vehicle, but the suspect or suspects fled on foot. Police recovered the Kia Soul, but it was returned with the ignition wiring ripped out and exposed. “It was a mess,” Kellerhouse said. “I went from feeling helpless to being very mad just because I do baby my car. It is our means of transportation. It’s how I keep my kids safe.”

Even though this is the second time her Kia Soul was stolen, fingerprints found in the vehicle might get her justice this time. Until then, to avoid a third theft, she has invested in a steering wheel lock to serve as a deterrent.