Three children in Ohio allegedly stole a car and crashed it into a home after learning how to do it from Grand Theft Auto videos on YouTube, according to police.
The incident happened on December 20, when officers were alerted to a stolen vehicle traveling through the area. Police initiated a pursuit along Harvard Avenue that lasted only a few minutes but reportedly reached speeds of up to 80 mph.
The chase ended when the vehicle slammed into a men’s recovery home, causing minor damage to the building. No serious injuries were reported.
Authorities later confirmed the suspects were three children aged 8, 11, and 12. The 11-year-old was behind the wheel at the time of the crash, WOIO-19 reported.
Police chase kids in stolen car
After the collision, the children attempted to flee on foot but were quickly caught by Newburgh Heights police. Bodycam footage shows officers confronting the kids at gunpoint before they complied.
“This is my first time in the car,” one child told officers during the arrest.
“Well, I could tell by the way that you drove. You suck at driving,” an officer responded.
During questioning, the children allegedly told police they learned how to steal and hotwire cars by watching tutorials on YouTube. The 11-year-old was reportedly the one who managed to hotwire the vehicle.
Police said the children were released to their parents later that day and will face charges in juvenile court.
It’s not clear what videos the kids had watched or if YouTube will be taking them down after this incident.
