ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — A stolen Kia Optima has been recovered in Ross County on April 2, 2023, after being found abandoned on the side of the road near Massieville Rd and Oliver Drive. The vehicle had been stolen, and its front windows had been shattered with a metal bar, while the steering column had been disassembled with a screwdriver found near the gear shifter.
The police had been patrolling the area when they noticed the Kia Optima pulled over at a pull-off. Upon closer inspection, they found the car to be abandoned with no occupants inside. Further investigation revealed that the car was registered to a resident of Massieville who was unaware that their car had been stolen.
According to sources, Kia thefts have been on the rise since a group of teens known as the “Kia Boys” began posting TikTok videos in Minneapolis about how easy it is to steal a Kia. Since then, there have been reports of Kia thefts across the country.
Inside the stolen vehicle, police discovered blood samples and fingerprints, but no suspects have been named in the case. The incident remains under investigation.
As of now, the police have not released the names of the vehicle owners or the deputies involved in the case. Anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact the Ross County Sheriff’s Office.
