{
  "id": "2024-04-14-michigan-state-university-motor-vehicle-theft",
  "slug": "michigan-state-university-motor-vehicle-theft-2024-04-14",
  "institution": {
    "name": "Michigan State University",
    "shortName": "MSU",
    "state": "MI",
    "type": "public-r1",
    "alertSystemName": "MSU Alert",
    "alertPlatform": "Everbridge",
    "enrollment": 50000
  },
  "incident": {
    "date": "2024-04-14",
    "type": "motor-vehicle-theft",
    "cleryCategory": "timely-warning",
    "headline": "Motor vehicle theft, April 14, 2024",
    "summary": "Michigan State University Police received reports of a series of motor vehicle thefts in [Lot 91](https://dpps.msu.edu/news-and-alerts/alerts) on April 14, 2024, with suspects targeting 2012-2022 Hyundai vehicles. A theft and an attempted theft were reported over two days, part of the nationwide ['Kia Boys' trend](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kia_Boys) that exploited a security vulnerability in certain Hyundai and Kia models. MSU Police issued a timely warning to the campus community.",
    "outcome": "Multiple vehicles targeted in Lot 91. Investigation ongoing. MSU Police advised owners of affected vehicle models to use steering wheel locks.",
    "resolution": "under-investigation"
  },
  "alerts": [
    {
      "sequence": 1,
      "type": "initial",
      "timestampApprox": "April 14, 2024, issued by Michigan State University Police and Public Safety",
      "channel": "email",
      "verbatimText": "MSU Timely Warning\n\nMICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY – POLICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY\n\nTIMELY WARNING\n\nOccurring the East Lansing campus\n\nReported by Michigan State University Police The following message contains information that may cause distress to some individuals. Date Reported: April 14, 2024 Date Occurred: April 13, 2024 through April 14, 2024 Location: Lot 91 – 953 Service Rd.\n\nDescription of Incident: On April 14, 2024 at , Michigan State University Police received a report of Series of Motor Vehicle Thefts that occurred at the East Lansing campus – Lot 91 – 953 Service Rd.. In the last two days a pattern has developed regarding thefts of motor vehicles in the area. Specifically on campus, there was a theft and an attempted theft of a motor vehicle in Lot 91. Suspects appear to be targeting 2012-2022 Hyundai vehicles.\n\nSuspect Information: Unknown Vehicle Information: None\n\nSafety Tips: Motor Vehicle Thefts – We encourage community members to reduce their chances of being a victim of motor vehicle theft by: securing doors and windows, parking in well-lit areas, consider placing u-lock through rear tire of moped, keep valuables out of sight.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceDescription": "MSU Alert official archive (verbatim)",
      "annotations": [
        "The specific targeting of 2012-2022 Hyundai vehicles aligns with the nationwide 'Kia Boys' trend that exploited a security vulnerability allowing certain Hyundai and Kia models to be started with a USB cable",
        "Lot 91 is a large surface parking lot on MSU's campus that serves commuter students and is relatively isolated, making it a target for vehicle theft",
        "The safety tip recommending steering wheel locks for specific vehicle years and makes is unusually specific for a timely warning and reflects the well-documented nature of this particular theft method"
      ],
      "characterCount": 1155,
      "sourceUrl": "https://alert.msu.edu/alert-issued-at-04-14-2024-122200-pm-edt/"
    }
  ],
  "context": "The April 2024 motor vehicle thefts at Michigan State University were part of the nationwide [Kia Boys phenomenon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kia_Boys), a trend originating on social media that taught people how to steal certain Hyundai and Kia models manufactured between 2011 and 2022 using a USB cable to bypass the ignition. According to [CBS Detroit](https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/detroit/news/msu-warn-police-of-rise-in-vehicle-thefts-on-campus-in-lansing-area/), MSU police had warned of a rise in vehicle thefts on campus and in the greater Lansing area. The [State News reported](https://statenews.com/article/2025/10/stalking-burglary-and-hate-crimes-rise-at-msu-in-2024) that burglary and other property crimes rose at MSU in 2024. Hyundai and Kia eventually issued software updates to address the vulnerability, but many older vehicles on college campuses remained unpatched. The [Purdue Exponent](https://www.upbeacon.com/article/2025/09/vehicle-theft-returns-to-status-quo-in-2024-crime-report-after-surge) reported similar trends at other Big Ten campuses. MSU's [timely warning page](https://dpps.msu.edu/news-and-alerts/alerts) archives these notifications alongside emergency alerts distributed through the Everbridge platform.",
  "keyFindings": [
    "The targeting of 2012-2022 Hyundai vehicles directly connects this campus crime pattern to the nationwide Kia Boys social media trend that exploited a specific manufacturing vulnerability",
    "Motor vehicle theft is one of the less common Clery Act timely warning categories, but the serial nature of the thefts in Lot 91 established the 'continuing threat' necessary for a timely warning",
    "MSU's recommendation of steering wheel locks for specific vehicle makes and model years represents an unusually targeted safety recommendation in a timely warning",
    "College campus parking lots are particularly vulnerable to the Kia Boys method because they contain large numbers of unattended vehicles for extended periods"
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "MSU Alert official archive (verbatim timely warning)",
      "url": "https://alert.msu.edu/alert-issued-at-04-14-2024-122200-pm-edt/",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "MSU Alert Notifications",
      "url": "https://alert.msu.edu/",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "MSU police warn of rise in attempted vehicle thefts on campus, in Lansing area - CBS Detroit",
      "url": "https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/detroit/news/msu-warn-police-of-rise-in-vehicle-thefts-on-campus-in-lansing-area/",
      "type": "local-media"
    },
    {
      "title": "Stalking, burglary and hate crimes rise at MSU in 2024 - The State News",
      "url": "https://statenews.com/article/2025/10/stalking-burglary-and-hate-crimes-rise-at-msu-in-2024",
      "type": "student-newspaper"
    }
  ],
  "confidence": "high",
  "tags": [
    "motor-vehicle-theft",
    "timely-warning",
    "michigan",
    "kia-boys",
    "hyundai",
    "parking-lot",
    "social-media-trend"
  ],
  "dateAdded": "2026-04-04",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-07-17",
  "addedBy": "ingestion"
}