The trip in and out of the convenience store was supposed to be quick.

All you needed to do was pick up your prepaid hoagie. It shouldn’t have taken more than a minute or two, so you assumed there was no need to turn off your car.

But you thought wrong. In the moments it took to grab your sandwich — which wasn’t quite ready when you walked in the store — an opportunistic thief spotted an easy target: A running vehicle with the keys in the ignition.

Now you’re without a car, and what was supposed to be a quick lunch break turned into a nightmare.

Already this year, this kind of scene has played out across Delaware numerous times and will likely only increase as the weather turns colder and residents run their cars to keep them warm.

So far in 2023, New Castle County Police, the state’s second-largest law enforcement agency, has recorded about 600 car thefts, more than double the number recorded at this same time last year.

About 40% of the thefts, or approximately 250, have been of Kias or Hyundais that don’t have electronic immobilizers, which confirms the key belongs to that vehicle. Many of these have been driven by the viral social media trend that encourages youth to steal the cars.

But while these kinds of thefts are “mostly for joy riding or social media clout or just being a goof,” said New Castle County Police spokesperson Cpl. Michael McNasby, other stolen vehicles are being used for more sinister purposes.

“A lot of the suspects we’re seeing are between the ages of 13 and 17 years old, so again they’re just joy riding,” McNasby said. “But then we’ve also seen vehicles used to commit other crimes. We’ve seen stolen vehicles pop up in shooting investigations, robberies, homicides.”

Given the uptick in thefts — and as the temperatures continue to drop — police are urging residents to rethink their routines and spend just one extra moment to keep their cars safe.

What’s the Kia-Hyundai social media trend?

For the last year or so, certain Kia and Hyundai models across the country have been targeted thanks to a TikTok challenge that encourages the thefts and shows viewers how to steal the cars without a key.

The vehicles being targeted are Kia models from 2011-21 and Hyundai models from 2015-21. While Kia and Hyundai operate independently, Hyundai Motor Group is the parent company of Kia Motors.

The trend began in Milwaukee with a notorious car theft group known as the “Kia Boys.” The group received the moniker due to the cars they targeted.

According to the Indianapolis Star, the crew learned how to easily steal the cars using nothing but a screwdriver and USB charging cord. Videos of the teens committing the thefts then increasingly began circulating online, and teens’ desire to go viral on social media fueled the nationwide trend.

In the last six months, police agencies in Delaware and elsewhere have hosted numerous events to give away steering wheel locks that make it more difficult to steal the Kias and Hyundais. The car manufacturers have also rolled out software updates aimed at making the vehicles harder to steal.

But for those who don’t have a wheel lock, police recommend placing an Apple AirTag or some other kind of tracking device in the car in the event it does get stolen.

Additionally, McNasby said, residents who have garages should park their cars inside and ensure all doors are locked. For those who don’t have garages, parking in a well-lit area can also help deter would-be thieves.

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“It’s easier said than done with some folks, but obviously just being aware of that trend and just taking a few extra steps might help you out,” McNasby said.

Tips for all car owners

Just because Kias and Hyundais are easier to steal doesn’t mean other drivers should be any less alert, McNasby said.

With the official start of winter just two months away, thieves are likely already on the prowl for residents who start their cars in the morning to warm them up and then go back inside to finish getting ready for work or school.

Cars with remote start buttons are less likely to be stolen as long as the doors are locked, police say. But people with traditional keys that remain in the ignition should avoid leaving their unattended car running.

Additionally, McNasby said, residents should follow the “#9PM Routine,” a law enforcement campaign started several years ago that serves as a nightly reminder to residents to remove valuables from their cars, lock vehicle doors, lock the doors to their homes, turn on exterior lights and activate any alarms or security systems they may have.

McNasby added that residents should check to make sure the keys for all cars are inside their home before bed, as well as any valuables such as purses, electronics, firearms and other items.

“We’ve seen a car get stolen that had the keys for the wife or the husband’s car as well, and then two cars get stolen from the same home,” McNasby said. “Again, if you just take that extra minute each night to go out and double-check everything, you can have peace of mind while you sleep.”

What happens if my car is stolen or there’s an attempted theft?

If your car is stolen, call 911 as soon as you notice it gone, McNasby said. Police will want the license plate number, year, make, model and color of the car and the vehicle identification number (VIN).

If you have a tracking device in the vehicle, be sure to pull that up and relay it to 911 dispatchers or responding police, too.

If residents notice suspicious activity such as people pulling on car handles or appearing to check cars for items in plain sight, they should call the department’s non-emergency number. McNasby said video surveillance can also be particularly useful.

“It may look like nothing happened, but our officers could be out there working a separate case that could be very helpful,” he said.

Residents can submit video clips to New Castle County Police through the department’s Facebook or Instagram pages. Detectives will also sometimes use the Ring app to solicit video for crimes they’re investigating.

Got a tip? Send to Isabel Hughes at [email protected] or 302-324-2785. For all things breaking news, follow her on Twitter at @izzihughes_