“What began as a routine patrol alert quickly spiraled into a startling police chase when officers realized the driver refusing to stop was only 11-years-old, and the stolen car he was in had two other children inside.
Authorities said the incident unfolded Saturday after a license plate reader flagged a Mazda 3 reported stolen out of nearby Parma. Officers located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, but instead of pulling over, the young driver accelerated, going over a bridge before losing control of the car.
The chase ended abruptly when the vehicle veered off course and slammed into a house. Inside the car were an 8-year-old and a 12-year-old, both riding as passengers during the pursuit.
After the impact, all three children bolted from the vehicle and ran. Officers caught up with them moments later. Body camera footage recorded the tense moments as police ordered the children to the ground near what appeared to be a garage. The boys could be heard crying and whimpering as officers secured the scene.
Video shows the 12-year-old stepping toward an officer before being told to get on the ground. One of the boys repeatedly apologized.
“I’m sorry,” one boy is heard saying. “Can you call my mom?” Another voice followed, anxious and confused. “We’re going to jail?” one boy asked before officers explained they would be detained. “Oh my God.”
As more officers arrived, one officer addressed the children directly. “You should’ve thought about that before you got in the car,” the officer said as he handcuffed them “And you suck at driving.”
An officer later escorted the 12-year-old toward a patrol vehicle, questioning the severity of what had occurred.
“You’re 12-years-old… stealing cars,” the officer said. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
Investigators said the children admitted they had spotted the vehicle unattended outside a store.
According to police, the 11-year-old told officers that “something just came over his body, and he could not control it, he needed to take the car.” Authorities said the children explained they learned how to steal vehicles by watching YouTube videos.
Photos released from the scene showed a damaged steering column, where a USB device had been used to start the vehicle.
While in custody, police said the boys appeared less concerned about the crash itself than about the timing.
“All three boys stated that they know right from wrong and admitted what they did was wrong,” the report said. “While in our custody they were concerned about how this would affect Santa coming to bring them presents.
One of the boys reportedly told officers he believed he would “get coal for Christmas” because of what had happened.
The children were later released to their parents. Authorities said prosecutors intend to pursue the case in juvenile court.
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Police said they were seeking charges against the 11-year-old driver that include failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer and receiving stolen property. The 8-year-old and 12-year-old could face charges of obstructing official business and receiving stolen property.
“This has got to be a record for the youngest driver in a pursuit that I’ve ever seen,” Newburgh Heights Police Chief John Majoy said. “11 years old for God’s sake, that’s incredible.”
The case unfolded as authorities in other parts of the country grappled with a series of juvenile crime incidents that have raised similar concerns.
In Florida, eight members of a Philadelphia youth football team were charged with felony theft after allegedly stealing more than $2,000 worth of merchandise from a Dick’s Sporting Goods store at the beginning of the month.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said the teenagers, ranging in age from 13 to 15, were charged with retail theft over $750 and conspiracy to commit retail theft.
According to investigators, surveillance video captured the group splitting into two teams inside the store. One group made a purchase, while the other gathered merchandise. The teens then regrouped in the middle of the store, where stolen items were placed into a Dick’s Sporting Goods bag.
Deputies said three of the teens left the store with the merchandise and were detained outside. The remaining five were taken into custody inside the store. Authorities said stolen items were found inside a black backpack and a branded shopping bag.
The sheriff’s office said the teens had traveled to Davenport, Florida, south of Orlando, to compete in the Prolifix Nationals tournament as part of the United Thoroughbreds youth football team.
Because of the arrests, the team was unable to play in the tournament’s championship game scheduled later that day.
Officials said none of the teens had a prior criminal history, according to the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center.
On the West Coast, Los Angeles police continued searching for suspects involved in a daytime looting incident at a 7-Eleven convenience store that was overrun by a group of teenagers.
Authorities said the store clerk activated a panic alarm Saturday, Dec. 6, after someone entered the store on Beverly Boulevard and pointed a gun at him. Almost immediately afterward, a crowd of teens began grabbing items from the store and running out.
Video posted online showed laughing teenagers tearing through the store as shelves were emptied.
One teen could be heard boasting in the video, “Bro, it’s worth it because it ain’t got my face on it.”
Investigators said similar teen flash mob incidents have targeted convenience stores across California in recent years, with videos often circulating on social media shortly after the crimes.
KTTV reported that no arrests had been made as of the latest update, despite multiple surveillance cameras capturing footage from the intersection.
