While car thefts declined nationally in 2024, Des Moines reported a 4% increase compared to 2023.
More than 1,000 vehicles were stolen in the capital city in 2024, according to data from the Des Moines Police Department provided for National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month in July.
Police attribute some of the increase to juveniles following online, like one known as the "KIA BOYS."
What is the most stolen vehicle in Iowa?
The Chervorlet Silverado 1500 is the most stolen car in Iowa during 2024, according to a report from Finance Buzz. The report used data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau released in May 2025, which reflects 2024 data.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ranked third for the most stolen vehicles across the nation, with nearly 22,000 stolen. The only vehicles to beat this truck make were the Hyundai Elantra and the Hyundai Sonata.
What are the most stolen vehicle makes reported in Des Moines for 2025?
Here are the top stolen vehicle makes from January to June 2025, according to the Des Moines Police Department.
Chevrolet: 67
Kia: 61
Hyundai: 59
Ford: 58
Toyota: 28
Who is stealing vehicles in Des Moines?
Alongside the increase in stolen vehicles is an uptick in juveniles as perpetrators in these crimes. In one instance, an 11-year-old was caught stealing a car in Des Moines, Parizek said in a video posted on the department's Facebook page. The juveniles are often working in groups and learn how to steal vehicles from videos online.
"They think it's a game," Parizek said of juveniles committing auto thefts in Des Moines. "They don't understand the risks. They don't understand the dangers of going out and driving a car at high speeds [...] Unfortunately, what we are seeing is some of these cases end in horrible tragedies."
In cases of juvenile auto thefts, these children often take cars for "joyrides." It can result in damage to the vehicles because they are inexperienced drivers.
Why are Kia or Hyundai thefts on the rise?
A recent online trend referred to as "KIA BOYS" has resulted in an increase in auto thefts nationally and in Des Moines. The trend shows young men stealing cars and taking them for dangerous joyrides. The cars are popular targets because many models lacked engine immobilizers.
In 2023, the manufacturers announced software updates to provide a theft deterrent.
Of the more than 1,000 vehicles stolen in 2024, 18% of them were Kia or Hyundai models, according to the Des Moines Police.
The trend emerged in 2022 and has only increased over time, amounting to 27% by 2025 before the year has concluded, Parizek said.
Here are Kia/Hyundai thefts in Des Moines by the year:
2022: 31
2023: 130
2024: 190
2025: 120 (January to June)
Hyundai Motor Group, which owns 33% of Kia, provided the department with free steering wheel locks. Within 45 minutes, the Des Moines Police Department gave out 50 of the locks. It also provided another 25 locks to victims of auto theft or attempted auto theft, Sgt. Paul Parizek told the Des Moines Register.
How many vehicles were stolen in Des Moines over the last four years?
Here is the number of stolen vehicles by year, according to data from the Des Moines Police Department
2022: 472
2023: 981
2024: 1, 020
2025 (through June 30): 436
How to protect your car from vehicle theft
Here are tips for the Des Moines Police Department to help prevent auto theft:
Park in well-lit spaces.
Close and lock all windows and doors when parked.
Hide or remove valuables from a vehicle.
Do not leave keys in a vehicle.
Do not leave the area when a vehicle is running.
Consider purchasing additional protection for vehicles if it doesn't come with an anti-theft system.
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: What is the most stolen vehicle in Des Moines? Auto theft on the rise
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