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Dearborn Today
By the People, for the People
Dearborn Police Use Drone to Quickly Catch USB Kia Thieves
The drone's live aerial view allowed officers to stop the suspects without a prolonged chase.
Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:07pm
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Dearborn police used a drone to quickly track down and stop suspects using the low-tech USB-cable method to steal Kia vehicles.Dearborn TodayDearborn police say a city drone was able to track suspected Kia thieves using the USB-cable theft method, allowing officers to quickly stop the vehicle without a high-speed pursuit. The department has rolled out a citywide drone program this year to get eyes on scenes faster than patrol cars.
Why it matters
The wave of Kia and Hyundai thefts using the USB-cable method has been a major issue for law enforcement, pushing automakers to issue software updates and distribute steering-wheel locks. Dearborn's use of drones as a first response tool represents a new tactic to combat this type of crime quickly and safely.
The details
According to Dearborn police, the suspects arrived in a stolen vehicle and immediately began targeting Kia models by using a USB cord to start the ignition. Rather than chasing the vehicle, officers launched a drone that was able to track the suspects from the air, giving patrol units the information they needed to stop the car without a prolonged pursuit through the neighborhood.
- The drone was launched and tracking the suspects within about 60 seconds of the initial call.
- The Dearborn police department rolled out its citywide drone program earlier this year.
The players
Dearborn Police Department
The law enforcement agency in Dearborn, Michigan that has implemented a new drone program to respond to crimes more quickly.
Issa Shahin
The Dearborn Police Chief who described how the drone program allows officers to assess situations and get critical details before arriving on the scene.
What they’re saying
“This allows us to assess situations almost instantly when someone calls for help.”
— Issa Shahin, Dearborn Police Chief
What’s next
Dearborn officials say the drone program is part of a broader push to cut auto theft and other crime in the city, and they continue to urge vehicle owners to install any available software updates and use physical deterrents like steering-wheel locks.
The takeaway
Dearborn's use of drones as a first-response tool represents a new tactic that law enforcement agencies are exploring to combat the rise in Kia and Hyundai thefts using the USB-cable method, allowing them to track suspects and stop crimes quickly without endangering the public with high-speed chases.
