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Ohio Boys, Ages 8–12, Steal Car as 11-Year-Old Leads Police Chase Into House

Police say the stop followed a license-plate reader alert, with the boys later claiming they learned the theft on YouTube.

Overview

  • Officers in Newburgh Heights were alerted by a Flock Safety license-plate reader to a vehicle reported stolen out of Parma.
  • Police-released video shows speeds reaching about 80 mph before the driver lost control and hit a house, with no injuries and only minor damage reported by the homeowner.
  • All three children fled on foot after the crash, were quickly apprehended on body camera, and were released to their parents pending juvenile proceedings.
  • According to police, the children said they learned to hotwire a car from YouTube tutorials and used a USB device to open the steering column.
  • Authorities say the 11-year-old faces fleeing and eluding and receiving stolen property charges, the 12-year-old faces receiving stolen property, and the 8-year-old may not be charged due to his age.