An 11-year-old driver led police on a chase Saturday in a stolen vehicle with two other children as passengers after the group learned to steal cars from YouTube videos, authorities said.
Officers spotted the stolen car after a license plate reader flagged the vehicle, which was reported stolen out of nearby Parma, WKYC reported. When police attempted to stop the car, the young driver fled and crossed a bridge before losing control.
“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 vehicle crashed into a house. An 8-year-old and a 12-year-old were riding as passengers. (RELATED: Mayors Of Big Cities Agree Juvenile Crime Is A ‘Serious’ Problem, Poll Shows)
11-year-old driver leads police on stolen car pursuit in Newburgh Heights https://t.co/RkmYyyQYPC
— WKYC 3News (@wkyc) December 22, 2025
Daniel Reilly was watching TV upstairs when the car slammed into his home.
“A big, you know, bang and a lot of noise,” Reilly told 3News.
All three children fled on foot but officers quickly apprehended them. The kids told police they watched YouTube videos to learn how to steal vehicles, according to Majoy. Photos from the scene showed a cracked steering column where the children used a USB device to hotwire the ignition.
Authorities released the children to their parents. Prosecutors plan to file charges in juvenile court.
Reilly said he was relieved no one suffered serious injuries but worried the children failed to grasp the danger they created.
“It’s not Grand Theft Auto, it’s not a game. It’s real life,” Reilly said.
The Newburgh Heights Police Department did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller’s request for comment.
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