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Social media is creating dangerous stolen car epidemics. When thieves discovered an easy way to nab certain older Hyundai and Kia vehicles, they shared the procedure online—and it went viral. For the past few years, TikTok users completing the “Kia Challenge” have stolen these cars just to film themselves driving around.

Minneapolis has been hit as hard as any city. In early May, residents woke to a stolen Kia shutting down a main street as it spun around and did burnouts. Because of Minneapolis’ policy against high-speed police pursuits involving stolen cars, officers had to stand by and watch.

That same weekend, Stephanie Tubman bought herself a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. Two days after purchasing the sedan, she had it stolen from her driveway. She hadn’t even put on her new license plates yet. She was devastated.

“That was everything I had. That was literally everything I had to try to get this car so I could have something reliable to drive, probably go to two of my jobs and go to college and take care of my kids.”

Single mom turns to the Nighthawks for help

Tubman contacted the TC Nighthawks organization. The organization’s website explains: “TC Nighthawks provides a unique anti-theft solution combating against the stolen car epidemic.” Its main offering appears to be an in-car locator that uses GPS, cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth to communicate its location. And with three years of battery life, thieves can’t disable the device by cutting one wire.

TC Nighthawks also has a dispatcher on call 24/7. In some cities, it also has drone operators who can “take to the streets” to spot your stolen car.

Without any device inside Tubman’s car, the Nighthawks had to get creative. The team started by publicizing a $500 reward for the car. Nighthawks founder Lacey Gauthier told the story: “We got a tip, and it sounded like a good one. I sent a spotter out there. The spotter confirmed it was the vehicle. And at that point, we started working with the Minneapolis Police, and we got the victim over there.”

Minneapolis police report that Tubman’s Elantra was parked at 37th Avenue North and Humboldt Avenue North, with only the steering column and ignition damaged from the theft. They recovered it on Mother’s Day. Thanks to social media, car thieves feel like they’re evolving at the speed of light. But new organizations such as the Nighthawks appear to be keeping up.