Police Draw Guns on Children as Young as 8 After High-Speed Chase in Stolen Car

Tense Pursuit and Apprehension

• 🚓 A high-speed police chase involving three children, ages 12, 11, and 8, reached speeds of nearly 80 mph in Cleveland, Ohio.
• 💥 The pursuit concluded when the stolen car crashed into a home.
• ⚠️ Officers apprehended the children at gunpoint after they fled the vehicle on foot.

Details of the Incident

• 🚗 Authorities reported that the 11-year-old was driving and had learned how to steal cars from watching YouTube videos.
• 🏡 The incident occurred at 3865 West 21st Street, where officers found three black juveniles complying with commands.
• 🚨 Officers instructed the children to get on the ground and not look at them during the apprehension.

Legal and Parental Involvement

• ⚖️ The children were detained, not arrested, and were informed they were not going to jail at that moment.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The children were released to their parents pending juvenile court charges.
• 🗣️ One child pleaded, "Please don't hurt us," and asked to call their mom.

Officer Interactions

• 🚫 Officers repeatedly told the children not to reach for anything and to stay on the ground.
• 🚗 One officer commented on the driving, stating, "You suck at driving."
• ❓ Officers asked if anyone had guns, to which the response was, "We don't tow guns."