Current:Home > MyBenjamin Ashford|'Kia Boys' flee police in Washington before crashing, chopper footage shows -Streamline Finance
Benjamin Ashford|'Kia Boys' flee police in Washington before crashing, chopper footage shows
Fastexy Exchange View
Date:2025-04-08 12:06:05
Two teenagers were arrested in Washington state after a crime spree that ended at a Seattle mall,Benjamin Ashford police said.
The 14- and 16-year-old crashed a stolen red Hyundai Sonata into a pole at the Southcenter Mall on March 26, leading to their arrest after they bailed and ran, according to the Renton Police Department. Authorities also identified another 14- and a 15-year-old as suspects who are believed to have been in the same car but evaded capture.
A 911 call earlier that afternoon reported that a passenger in a red sedan had used a gun to threaten two young boys, ages 8 and 10, but that no one was hurt, the department said in a news release on Facebook.
Chopper video released by KCPQ-TV shows the Sonata driving in front of on-coming traffic and blowing through several red stop lights. The car drove at 65 mph and crossed the center lane multiple times, police said.
A resident in the Seattle suburb of Renton had reported their 2016 red Hyundai Sonata stolen shortly before the spree, the department added.
Suspects found with stolen marijuana
After the arrest, officials found "a significant amount of marijuana product" on one of the teenagers and learned that it was from a store brand that experienced a recent theft.
"Juvenile crime is an epidemic. We see it almost daily," Chief Jon Schuldt said in a statement. "We are so lucky no one was injured in this situation, but it’s only a matter of time. We need not only to start talking about this escalating situation, but we need to start focusing on solutions, which include accountability for actions.”
Schuldt said the department is working on probable cause to charge the arrested teens and working to see if the other two who evaded arrest could be charged, according to FOX13.
The two arrested teens were released to their family members and an investigation is ongoing, police said.
USA TODAY has reached out to the Renton Police Department for an update on the status of the pending charges but they did not immediately respond on Tuesday.
Law firm:Kia, Hyundai car owners can claim piece of $145M theft settlement next week
Four teens are members of 'Kia Boys'
The department said that the four teenagers are "well-known to police and members of the Kia Boys."
A viral TikTok trend known as the "Kia Challenge" exposed Kia and Hyundai vehicles' lack of an immobilizer, leading many "Kia Boys" to use screwdrivers and USB charging cords to steal vehicles.
The trend has prompted Kia and Hyndai to settle a class action lawsuit by Seattle-based law firm Hagens Berman, for $200 million.
A month later New York City filed a suit against the automakers, accusing Kia and Hyundai of failing to install immobilizers in their vehicles, according to the 39-page suit filed in the Southern District of New York.
Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse and Natalie Neysa Alund
veryGood! (215)
Related
- IOC's decision to separate speed climbing from other disciplines paying off
- Home energy aid reaches new high as Congress mulls funding
- Will Ferrell's best friend came out as trans. He decided to make a movie about it.
- Dwayne Johnson named to UFC/WWE group's board, gets full trademark rights to 'The Rock'
- Big Lots store closures could exceed 300 nationwide, discount chain reveals in filing
- Turkey’s parliament agrees to hold a long-delayed vote on Sweden’s NATO membership
- Army doctor to face court martial following allegations of sexual abuse
- NATO signs key artillery ammunition contract to replenish allied supplies and help Ukraine
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Michigan player wins $4.37 million, becomes first Lotto 47 jackpot winner of 2024
Ranking
- Shilo Sanders' bankruptcy case reaches 'impasse' over NIL information for CU star
- Honda HR-V rear windows are shattering in the cold. Consumer Reports says the car should be recalled.
- Columbia students at pro-Palestine protest allegedly attacked with 'skunk' chemical
- The 2024 Oscar Nominations Are Finally Here
- US Open player compensation rises to a record $65 million, with singles champs getting $3.6 million
- Billy Joel returns to the recording studio with first new song in nearly 20 years
- UK gives Northern Ireland a new deadline to revive its collapsed government as cost of living soars
- Martin Luther King’s daughter recalls late brother as strong guardian of their father’s legacy
Recommendation
USA women's basketball live updates at Olympics: Start time vs Nigeria, how to watch
Trial delayed for man who says he fatally shot ex-Saints star Will Smith in self-defense
Most United Methodist Church disaffiliations are in the South: Final report outlines latest in ongoing split.
Former 'CBS Sunday Morning' host Charles Osgood dies at 91 following battle with dementia
Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
Phoenix woman gets 37-year prison sentence in death of her baby from malnutrition, medical neglect
Man accused of killing wife in 1991 in Virginia captured in Costa Rica after over 30 years on the run: We've never forgotten
North Dakota judge won’t block part of abortion law doctors say puts them at risk of prosecution