Teens Targeting Stellantis Vehicles in Minneapolis Car Theft Spike

Local police report a rise in car thefts, with Stellantis models being the primary targets.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 2:18pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a car key fob against a pitch-black background, the harsh flash creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the car theft crisis.A wave of car thefts targeting specific vehicle models exposes vulnerabilities in automotive security and the need for community-based solutions.Minneapolis Today

Minneapolis has seen a recent spike in car thefts, with local authorities reporting that the majority of these incidents involve teenagers targeting Stellantis vehicles. The trend has raised concerns among residents and law enforcement about public safety and the motivations behind these crimes.

Why it matters

Car thefts can have a significant impact on a community, leading to increased insurance costs, disruptions to daily life, and a general sense of insecurity. The targeting of specific vehicle makes and models also suggests potential vulnerabilities in the security features of those cars that need to be addressed.

The details

According to the Minneapolis police department, the recent wave of car thefts has primarily involved Stellantis vehicles, which include brands such as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram. Authorities believe the thefts are being carried out by local teenagers, though the exact motivations behind their actions remain unclear.

  • The spike in car thefts has been observed over the past 3 months in the Minneapolis area.
  • The majority of the incidents have occurred during the evening and late-night hours.

The players

Minneapolis Police Department

The local law enforcement agency responsible for investigating the recent car theft incidents and working to address the problem.

Stellantis

The multinational automotive manufacturing company whose vehicles have been the primary targets of the car thefts in Minneapolis.

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What they’re saying

“We're seeing a troubling trend of teenagers targeting specific vehicle makes and models, and we're working hard to understand the root causes and put a stop to these crimes.”

— Chief of Police, Minneapolis Police Department

What’s next

The Minneapolis Police Department has announced that they will be increasing patrols and implementing additional security measures in an effort to curb the rise in car thefts.

The takeaway

The spike in car thefts targeting Stellantis vehicles in Minneapolis highlights the need for automakers to continuously evaluate and improve the security features of their vehicles, as well as the importance of community-based solutions to address the underlying social factors that may be driving these crimes.