Three children, ages 8, 11, and 12, starred in a police chase Saturday in Newburgh Heights, Ohio, after officers detected a Mazda 3 reported stolen using an automatic license plate reader, according to a police report.

When an officer tried to stop the vehicle, the driver—an 11-year-old boy—fled At full speed. The chase ended shortly after when the car crashed into a house in the area, causing minor damage.

Flight on foot and quick arrest

After the impact, the three minors abandoned the vehicle and tried to escape on foot, but were apprehended shortly after by the police. Body camera footage shows officers ordering the children to lie on the ground, while they appeared visibly frightened.

“Are we going to jail?” one of them can be heard saying in the video, while another asks them to call their mother.

Confessions and learning on social media

During questioning, the minors recounted that they saw the vehicle and impulsively decided to steal it. One of them stated that “something took over his body” and that he couldn't control himself.

According to the police, the children said they learned how to steal cars by watching videos on YouTube. They also acknowledged that they knew the difference between right and wrong and admitted that what they did was wrong.

Concern about Christmas

According to the police report, the minors expressed concern about the consequences of the incident, especially how it might affect Santa Claus's visit.

“One of the children said he was going to get coal for Christmas,” authorities noted.

Following the procedure, the three minors were released to their parents and guardians. No criminal charges were announced due to their ages, but the case was referred to the appropriate child protection agencies.