Lincoln Police were called to the Lincoln Children’s Zoo parking lot at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 26th to investigate a vandalism in progress.
Officers took two juvenile males, ages 13 and 15 into custody. The two had taken apart the ignition of a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe that was parked in the lot in an effort to get it started.
One witness told offers the boys were recording themselves while trying to start and take the vehicle. Both boys admitted they were participating in a viral social media challenge. They also admitted they stole a Hyundai Sonata on July 9th.
Both teens were referred for possession of burglary tools and theft by unlawful taken and released to parents. Damage to the vehicle parked at the zoo is estimated at $500.
The viral video is a TikTok challenge called the “Kia Challenge” where users turn on vehicles using a USB cord. That leads to thefts and vandalism. The challenge started in early July when a user made a video showing how to start the car. That quickly evolved into a challenge involving many others nationwide. These crimes are being committed so people can carry out the challenge and post their video to social media.