Uh oh, police officers in New York City have noticed an increase in vehicle thefts. This may cause you to think that Kia cars or Hyundai SUVs are the target, but not this time around. People are targeting the Toyota Highlander instead.

NYC police officers are seeing more Toyota Highlander thefts 

Alright, you have officially been wanted if you own a Toyota Highlander. Police officers in New York City are issuing warnings about an increase in thefts that target these popular SUVs. 

Criminals are reportedly being the most active toward the Highlander in Washington Heights and Inwood. In some cases, people come outside to discover that their car is missing. In other cases, thieves have been taking the rims and tires.

Manhattan residents are being urged to increase their safety measures. According to CBS News, drivers can install steering wheel locks and GPS tracking. But you can also install tire locks, park in well-lit areas, and try to park near surveillance cameras. 

The city also offers a free VIN etching program and CAT registration system to make vehicles easier to trace if stolen. 

Part of the uptick in Highlander thefts is attributed to vulnerabilities with the keyless ignition system. Criminals can clone the signal that the key fob uses to unlock the doors and start the engine. 

This way, thieves can gain access to your vehicle and start the engine while your keys are safe inside. All they need is a special device to amplify the low-power radio signal. 

You can prevent this type of theft by keeping your key fob in a signal-blocking pouch or keeping it far away from the area of your home near the street or driveway.