Gates Police give out anti-theft devices for Kia and Hyundai cars on Thursday

GATES, N.Y. — Gates Police are giving out free steering wheel locks for Kia and Hyundai cars on Thursday, March 9 to prevent theft.

The locks will be distributed from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Gates Police Department Headquarters on 1605 Buffalo Road. The locks are for Gates residents who have proof that they own a Kia or Hyundai without a push-to-start button.

The devices are in response to an increase in car thefts in the Rochester area and concerns that people are stealing Kias and Hyundais because of how-to videos circulating on social media. In January, News10NBC showed video of how a steering wheel lock prevented thieves from stealing a Kia car after smashing its windows.

More about car thefts:

• Local man’s Hyundai stolen three times (March 5)
• Car theft trend starts as Tik Tok challenge. Can social media companies be held accountable? (Feb. 27)
• North Winton Village residents share concerns about crime with Rochester police (Feb. 27)
• Here we go again: Another smash-and-grab with a stolen car in the suburbs (Feb. 21)
• Fact Check: Will insurance carriers continue to cover Kias and Hyundais? (Feb. 16)
• Businesses take extra measures to prevent smash-and-grab burglaries (Feb. 14)
• Local woman speaks out after Hyundai stolen by thieves (Feb. 14)
• Local dealership helps woman after vandals destroyed her car (Feb. 9)
• Mayor Evans announces plan to address stolen cars, smash-and-grab robberies (Feb. 9)
• KIA sends warning letter to owner the same day thieves targeted her car (Feb. 7)
• Videos show thieves using stolen vehicles to smash into businesses and grab what they can (Feb. 6)
• Local congressman pushing Hyundai and Kia to address thefts of their vehicles (Feb. 4)
• Another stolen car smash-and-grab: When is this going to end? (Feb. 3)