By Shawn Henry 
Police in Ohio say three children allegedly stole a car and crashed it into a residential building after learning how to take vehicles by watching online videos.
The incident happened Saturday when officers were pursuing a reported stolen vehicle. The chase ended when the car struck a men’s recovery home, causing minor damage to the structure. Authorities said no one inside the home was injured, and the children involved were also not hurt.
Police identified the suspects as three children ages 8, 11 and 12. After the crash, officers said the children attempted to flee on foot but were quickly detained. Investigators later determined that the 11-year-old was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash.
According to police, the children told officers they had learned how to steal a car by watching instructional videos on YouTube. Authorities did not release additional details about how the vehicle was taken or how long it had been missing before officers located it.
The recovery home sustained minor damage from the crash, but officials said the building remained standing and safe. Residents inside the home were not displaced as a result of the incident.
Police said the children were later released into the custody of their parents. While no injuries were reported, the case remains under investigation. Authorities said charges will be filed in juvenile court.
The incident has raised concerns among law enforcement about the accessibility of online content and how it can influence young children. Police did not indicate whether additional measures would be taken related to the online videos referenced by the children.
Officials emphasized that the situation could have ended much more seriously given the ages of those involved and the risk posed to the public during the pursuit. The department said it is continuing to review the circumstances surrounding the theft and crash as part of the juvenile court process.
The case remains pending as authorities prepare formal filings.
All parties are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.