11-Year-Old Leads Ohio Police on High-Speed Car Chase After Kids Learn to Steal Vehicles From YouTube

DAYTON, OHIO — In a surprising and troubling development, an 11-year-old boy led Ohio police on a high-speed car chase after he and several other children allegedly stole a vehicle using techniques they learned from YouTube videos, authorities said. The incident highlights growing concerns about online influence on youth and unsafe behaviors copied from social media.

The chase began late Sunday night, when officers spotted a stolen SUV driving erratically through Dayton neighborhoods. The young driver failed to stop and instead accelerated, weaving through traffic at speeds exceeding 80 miles per hour, prompting a dangerous pursuit involving multiple police units. Officials say the car eventually stopped after the vehicle ran out of gas and the children inside were taken into custody without major injuries.

Children Allegedly Learned Vehicle Theft From YouTube Videos

Police told reporters that the children — including the driver — admitted to watching online videos and tutorials on how to steal cars and disable alarms, which they attempted to imitate. Investigators said the case underscores the real-world impact of harmful online content that instructs minors in dangerous activities. Dayton Police Chief Michael Greene expressed shock, saying that the boys seemed to “learn techniques from internet videos that taught them how to break into vehicles and start them without keys.”

The children involved ranged in age from 11 to 14, and authorities say they did not appear to fully grasp the seriousness of their actions until they saw patrol cars and flashing lights behind them. “This started as something they thought was a game or a prank they saw online,” Greene said, “but it quickly became a very dangerous situation for them and for everyone around them.”

Police Chase Ends Safely, No Major Injuries Reported

The pursuit, which lasted approximately 12 minutes, drew multiple Dayton police cruisers and shut down several city streets as officers tried to keep the vehicle from causing serious harm. When the stolen SUV ran out of gas near an industrial area, the children surrendered peacefully and were taken into protective custody. No serious injuries were reported among the youths or responding officers.

Authorities have not released the names of the children due to their ages, but court officials said the juveniles will be evaluated for possible charges and offered counseling services. A spokesperson for the Montgomery County Juvenile Court noted that juvenile prosecutors will work with social services to determine appropriate interventions.

Community and Parental Concerns Grow Over Online Influence

The incident has sparked concern among parents and local leaders about how social media and online video platforms are influencing children’s behavior, particularly when videos show risky, illegal, or harmful activities. Some advocates are calling for stronger parental controls and educational programs that teach media literacy and responsible internet use.

Dr. Elaine Carter, a child psychologist, said incidents like this reflect a “growing trend of kids imitating dangerous behavior they see online without understanding the real-world consequences.” Carter urged parents to engage more actively with their children about what they watch and to discuss why certain acts — like vehicle theft and high-speed driving — are not just illegal but life-threatening.

Police and Schools Increase Focus on Safety Education

Dayton police and local school districts are also planning outreach efforts to warn families about the dangers of copying risky online content and to promote responsible internet use and personal safety. Programs will include presentations on distracted behavior, the legal consequences of theft and reckless driving, and tips for parents on supervising children’s online activity.

Police Chief Greene said the department will continue to work with community partners to prevent similar incidents. “Our priority is ensuring public safety and helping our young people make better choices,” Greene said. “This situation could have ended much worse, and we want to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”