Last month, six vehicles were stolen in Forest Park, and in November, that number is already at seven — putting total car thefts this year, through Nov. 11, at 56.
“I thought that seemed high, and then I looked at the past three years,” Police Chief Ken Gross told the Review.
In 2024, the village saw 105 car thefts. There were 129 in 2023 and 99 in 2022.
In the past couple months, Kia and Hyundai models from before 2020 have been the most-frequently stolen. Gross said the police department saw a similar trend about two years ago, after TikTok videos detailing how to steal those models went viral.
“There are certain models of Kias and Hyundais that are very easy to steal, and we’re seeing a little spike in those cars being stolen again,” Gross said.
But there have always been local spikes in certain models. Gross recalls a time a few years ago when there was an increase in Dodge minivans stolen in the village. And another stint when higher-end Dodge Chargers and Durangos were frequently targeted because they worked with a device that allowed suspects to reprogram a new key to the cars.
“When I was brand new, the 80s model Monte Carlos were easy to steal. It goes in phases,” Gross said of when he started at the Forest Park Police Department.
Gross said one reason there could be a rise of car thefts in recent months is because it’s getting dark earlier.
“A lot of it’s happening under the cover of darkness,” Gross said of car thefts. “This time of year, people have their windows closed, so they’re not hearing unfamiliar noises like a car window break or even a car door open.”
Gross said patrolling police are aware of the recent spike in car thefts, and the police department’s shift heads have been telling officers to pay special attention to alleys and parking lots to prevent and catch car thieves.
For civilians, Gross said a good way to prevent your car from being stolen is to keep it in a garage, if you have one, or parked in a well-lit area. Thieves can also be deterred by a steering wheel lock or car alarms. He added that, if a car is stolen, it helps police when locals have cameras that capture descriptions of potential subjects. And when people call in suspicious activity.
“If you see a person or two walking through the alley, just sort of looking around instead of walking with a purpose or doing the same in an open parking lot, call us and we’ll be glad to investigate,” Gross said. “I’d rather investigate and find out it’s nothing than not investigate and have someone be a victim.”
