Stolen Vehicle thought to be prompted by Kia Challenge

A new Tik Tok trend is believed to have been the motivation behind a recent incident in Toccoa-Stephens County involving three juveniles.

According to a report by CBS News, the Kia Challenge, is a new viral social media challenge that encourages teens and young adults to steal Kia or Hyundai cars.

The challenge dares people to break into the vehicle and then use a USB cable to start the car. And on Monday, August 1, three juveniles attempted the challenge.

According to Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley, his office responded to an early morning call after Brian Donaldson reported his 2015 Kia Optima stolen from his Cherry Street residence. The call came in around 5 a.m.

Shirley said, Donaldson told law enforcement that both key fobs to the vehicle were in his possession when the vehicle was stolen.

Deputies located the vehicle, near the Doyle Street Ball Fields, with three juveniles shortly after the initial call came in.

Shirley said when deputies located the vehicle the three juveniles fled; however, two were immediately apprehended and the third one later came forward.

Shirley said the three juveniles took the vehicle on a joy ride which resulted in the vehicle being totaled.

After being in law enforcement custody, the three juveniles were released into their parents’ custody.

The three juveniles face felony theft by taking; obstructing or hindering law enforcement officers; expired or no driver’s license; and criminal damage to property in the second degree.

The theft is believed to have been part of the Kia Challenge.

Shirley is urging parents of children with access to TikTok to talk them about the dangers associated with this type of challenge.