Pueblo police recently arrested 23-year-old Charles Garcia after a high-speed chase in a stolen Hyundai Sonata reported missing from Colorado Springs. Garcia, who had multiple warrants, allegedly fled from officers twice, running red lights and stop signs, driving into oncoming traffic, and reaching speeds over 90 mph. He later abandoned the vehicle and was found hiding in a crawl space of a home on Pine Street, where police took him into custody.
Garcia now faces charges including second-degree motor vehicle theft, vehicular eluding, and driving with a revoked license — one of many auto theft cases in Pueblo this year.
Auto Thefts Are Falling — But Kias and Hyundais Are Still Prime Targets
According to Pueblo Police Department data, car thefts in the city dropped by 20% in the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. By late July, 386 vehicles had been reported stolen, with 261 recovered — a 68% recovery rate. That’s about 100 fewer thefts than the previous year.
Despite the decline, Kias and Hyundais remain frequent targets due to design flaws that make them easier to steal. “It’s just the manufacturer; they didn’t do a good job with the design. (Thieves) can manipulate the ignition easily,” said Sgt. Eric Gonzales.
Thieves have shifted tactics as well, moving from breaking windows to ripping off door handles to unlock vehicles. This can result in $2,000–$3,000 in damage for owners who must replace both ignition and door components.
Why Car Thefts Are Declining
The drop in thefts is partly thanks to Colorado’s SB 2023-97, which made nearly all car thefts felonies regardless of vehicle value — a change from earlier laws that penalized theft based on a car’s worth.
But Pueblo police say the real game-changer has been their aggressive, coordinated response. Officers are taking part in regional BATTLE (Beat Auto Theft Through Law Enforcement) operations funded by the Colorado State Patrol. These joint efforts involve multiple agencies, including local police, sheriffs’ offices, state troopers, and parole officers, all working together to locate and recover stolen vehicles — and arrest repeat offenders.
“When a patrol goes out and recovers a stolen car, they usually just recover the car. But when we work with these other agencies, we also capture the driver,” said Gonzales. “The more we catch the people stealing cars — especially the repeat offenders — the more likely they’re taken off the streets for longer.”
Tips to Protect Your Vehicle
Gonzales recommends that Kia and Hyundai owners take extra precautions, such as installing aftermarket security devices or wheel locks. Parking in tighter spaces — between other vehicles or near obstacles — can make it harder for thieves to drive away.
For all car owners, one common mistake is leaving spare keys inside the vehicle. Opportunistic thieves often break in looking for valuables — and if they find a key, they take the car too.
As temperatures rise, some drivers leave their vehicles running with the air conditioning on while they run errands — a habit Gonzales says can lead to so-called “puffer thefts.” These thefts are even more common in winter when people leave cars running for warmth.
His final tip? Always lock your doors.
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Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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