In a surprising turn of events, three young boys from Ohio, including an 11-year-old driver, led police on a chase in a stolen vehicle before crashing into a house. This incident has sparked concerns about its effect on their holiday season, authorities reported.

The pursuit began on a Saturday afternoon when a license plate reader alerted officers in Newburgh Heights about a Mazda 3 that had been reported stolen, according to the police.

As an officer attempted a traffic stop, the young driver accelerated away. The car eventually collided with a nearby house, prompting the boys, aged 8, 11, and 12, to escape on foot, police stated.

A photo shows the stolen car after it crashed into a residence in Newburgh Heights, Ohio. (Credit: Newburgh Heights Police Department)

The children were swiftly apprehended, and fortunately, the home’s damage was minimal, as noted in the police report.

Police bodycam footage shows two boys standing near what appears to be a garage as an officer orders them to the ground. The third boy is seen a distance away and moving toward his friends after being ordered to do so. 

The kids were heard cowering in fear. 

“I’m sorry,” one boy is heard saying. “Can you call my mom?”

“We’re going to jail?” one boy is heard asking before being told the three would be detained. “Oh my God.”

At one point, an officer escorts the 12-year-old to a police cruiser. 

Newburgh Heights Police Department bodycam footage shows the arrest of two young Ohio boys suspected of stealing a vehicle.  (Newburgh Heights Police Department )

“You’re 12-years-old… stealing cars,” the officer is heard saying. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

When questioned by investigators, the boys said they went to a store when they spotted a vehicle, authorities said. One boy allegedly said that “something just came over his body and he could not control it, he needed to take the car,” a police report states. 

They said they learned to steal cars from watching videos on YouTube, police said. Following their arrest, the boys were worried about how it would impact their holiday, police said. 

“All three boys stated that they know right from wrong and admitted what they did was wrong,” the report said. “While in our custody they were concerned about how this would affect Santa coming to bring them presents. 

Bodycam footage released by the Newburgh Heights Police Department shows two young suspected car thieves cowering in fear after being caught by police following a short car and foot chase.  (Newburgh Heights Police Department )

One boy allegedly told authorities that he was going to “get coal for Christmas” because of what they did, police said. 

The suspects were released to their parents and guardians.