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Sheriff—s Office links spike in Deltona car thefts to Kia/Hyundai models; urges owners to lock cars
Summary
Volusia County Sheriff's Office officials described a series of coordinated operations in Deltona after thieves targeted certain Kia and Hyundai models, reporting multiple arrests and recommending simple vehicle-security steps to residents.
Captain Omar McKnight, of the Volusia County Sheriff—s Office, told a public briefing that investigators have tied a recent string of vehicle thefts in Deltona to theft techniques targeting specific Kia and Hyundai models and described multiple enforcement actions.
"The best thing that I can recommend for the the citizens and stuff, if you have a Kia or a Hyundai that fall within this range, the date range of being built, is lock it. Don't leave it unlocked," Captain Omar McKnight said.
McKnight said detectives identified an Orange County crew that entered Deltona on Dec. 7, broke into multiple cars during a three- to four-hour span, and left with stolen vehicles that were later recovered in Orange County. During a CompStat period cited at the briefing, deputies conducted targeted operations (one from midnight to 3 a.m., another from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.) that resulted in 48 stops, nine misdemeanor arrests and four felony arrests, and 36 juvenile curfew checks.
Investigators said some thefts were carried out with methods shared on social media platforms and that juveniles in a local neighborhood were responsible for separate joyriding incidents in which cars were quickly dumped nearby.
Detectives described neighborhood clusters of incidents in the Normandy/Saxon/Tivoli area and said video surveillance helped identify suspect vehicles; in one case a recovered vehicle used to tow stolen trailers was tracked into Seminole County. Officials said technology and DNA/fingerprint analysis remain part of ongoing investigations.
Deltona deputies and detectives encouraged vehicle owners to adopt simple precautions and to report suspicious behavior. McKnight said law enforcement has placed additional technology and operations in affected neighborhoods to deter repeat thefts.
Ending: Investigations into outstanding stolen vehicles remain active, officials said. Deputies asked owners of older Kia and Hyundai models to secure vehicles and urged residents with video footage or tips to contact the sheriff—s office so detectives can follow leads.
