by Stephen Rivers
- Ohio police arrested three kids after a stolen car crash.
- The 11-year-old driver said he learned theft from videos.
- Officers say the chase reached speeds of 80 miles per hour.
We all make dumb choices when we’re young and inexperienced. What very few people ever do is steal a car and run from police at 80 mph before even becoming a teenager.
That’s allegedly what three kids in Ohio just did, crashing a reportedly stolen vehicle into a house, an incident that sparked not only a police response but also a surprising concern among the kids about whether Santa would still show up this year.
Read: One In Four Lexus TX SUVs Stolen In Ontario
According to authorities, the trio was just 12, 11, and 8 years old. Somehow, despite slamming into a residential home, no one was seriously hurt.
License Plate Reader Triggers Pursuit
Officers say the incident began when a Flock license plate reader flagged a Mazda 3 that had previously been reported stolen. Police found the vehicle and attempted to pull it over, but the driver allegedly fled. Evidently, speeds routinely crested 60 and then 80 mph down Harvard Ave in Newburgh Heights.
The chase ended when the underage driver lost control and slammed into a home at the corner of Denison Avenue and West 20th Street. Miraculously, no one inside the house or vehicle was seriously injured, and the damage to the home was described as minor.
After the crash, all three children ran from the vehicle. Officers pursued and quickly detained each of them without further incident. Bodycam footage shows the end of the encounter as police hold two of the suspects at gunpoint before the third returns to the group, and authorities detain them all.
Kids Admit Guilt, Then Ask About Santa’s Schedule
Police say the 11-year-old was behind the wheel and later admitted to learning how to steal a car by watching tutorials on YouTube. One officer went as far as to tell the child that he “sucked” at driving.
Following their arrest, the boys weren’t just concerned about the charges, they were also deeply worried about the holiday fallout.
“All three boys said they knew right from wrong and admitted what they did was wrong,” the police report stated, according to Fox News. “While in our custody, they were concerned about whether this would affect Santa coming to bring them presents.”
Newburgh Heights Police Chief John Majoy told WKYC that the situation could have easily turned fatal.
“Somebody could have been killed,” Majoy said, noting how close the crash came to being far worse. Police say the 11-year-old will face felony charges for receiving stolen property and evading police, while the 12-year-old will be charged with receiving stolen property. The 8-year-old is unlikely to be charged due to his age.
