קינדער פאליס טשעיס אין אוהייאו
Authorities in Ohio say three children as young as eight led police on a dangerous chase after allegedly learning how to steal cars by watching videos on YouTube, raising renewed concerns about online content and juvenile crime.
The incident occurred on December 20 in Newburgh Heights near Cleveland, where police identified the suspects as an 8-year-old, an 11-year-old, and a 12-year-old. According to investigators, the boys stole a white Hyundai sedan using a hotwiring method they said they learned from online tutorials.
Police attempted to stop the vehicle after it was reported stolen, but the driver—an 11-year-old—accelerated, reaching speeds of up to 80 miles per hour while trying to evade officers. The chase ended when the car spun out of control and crashed. Remarkably, no injuries were reported.
Bodycam footage released by police shows the children visibly shaken following the crash, expressing fear about going to jail and even worrying aloud about getting “coal from Santa.” Officers secured the scene and confirmed the boys were unharmed before releasing them to their parents.
Newburgh Heights Police Chief John Majoy warned that the situation could have easily turned deadly, emphasizing the extreme danger posed by high-speed pursuits involving inexperienced drivers. Authorities say the boys now face juvenile charges, while the incident highlights growing concerns about how online instructional videos can contribute to real-world criminal behavior.
