Two theft incidents involving cars occurred in Yekaterinburg toward the end of one week and the start of the next. Reports from a local news outlet indicate that the culprits targeted the fog lamps on two Kia Soul vehicles. The first incident happened during the night spanning June 7 into June 8, and the second took place during the night of June 12 into June 13.
What ties the two cases together is striking: both vehicles share a white paint finish and both show identical, rectangular cutouts where their fog lamps should be, rather than the lamps themselves. The cars involved are from the current generation Kia Soul lineup, specifically the SK3 (2019 model year).
According to the owner of the second damaged vehicle, the car alarm did not trigger during the night, and in the morning the engine started quietly with the help of the key fob. A similar account comes from the first victim, who notes the same calm start and lack of obvious signs of forced entry. Analysts and law enforcement sources describe the acts as the work of a careful criminal group that leaves behind no clear traces. The consensus among car owners is that the stolen parts may have appeared on a market demand surge, with parts prices rising and a coordinated wave of thefts aiming to harvest large quantities of certain components.
- Official statistics now show a doubling in incidents involving easily removable parts, a trend many authorities are watching closely.
- Public access platforms have begun streaming related content, with a recent upload titled Driving now available on RuTube for viewers seeking context and discussion.
Experts caution that the pattern suggests organized crime activity with a focus on modular, quickly removable items. Owners are advised to take additional precautions, such as reinforcing the protection around vulnerable trim pieces, ensuring alarms and immobilizers are active, and maintaining a vigilant approach to overnight parking. Local police urge residents to report any suspicious behavior or unusual vehicle activity, and to document serial numbers and photos of any damaged parts for records and potential investigations. (Source: e1.ru).