Newburgh Heights, Ohio – A group of children led police on a chase Saturday in a stolen car before crashing into a house.

The vehicle, a white Kia stolen from Parma, carried an 8-year-old, an 11-year-old driver, and a 12-year-old when a Flock Safety license plate reader alerted officers to its presence on Harvard Avenue near East 54th Street, according to Newburgh Heights Police Chief John Majoy.

When officers attempted to stop the car around 2:55 p.m., the driver fled westbound on Harvard Avenue and over the Denison Bridge, reaching speeds up to 80 mph. The chase ended when the car made a sharp left turn and crashed into a home at the corner of Denison Avenue and West 20th Street.

All three children ran from the vehicle after the crash. Two of them, including the driver, called for their parents and pleaded, “Please don’t hurt us. Can you please call my mother.”

The children told police they learned to steal cars by watching YouTube and had used a USB cord to hot-wire the ignition.

All were released to their parents. Charges will be filed in juvenile court against the 11- and 12-year-olds. It is unclear if charges will be filed against the 8-year-old.

The home sustained minor damage, and no injuries were reported.

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