FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Two 13-year-olds were arrested after crashing a stolen Kia into a homeless encampment in Fresno Sunday evening, according to the Fresno Police Department.
Around 7:45 p.m., patrol officers say they were in the area of Belmont and Glenn Avenues when they saw a Kia confirmed to be stolen pass by.
Upon making a U-turn to catch up to the vehicle, police say the driver of the Kia saw them make the maneuver and took off at a high rate of speed down Belmont Avenue, turning onto Glenn Avenue. The driver then attempted to quickly turn into a nearby alley and collided with a fence.
These cars targeted in a social media trend, police say
Investigators say the boy ran down the alley but was quickly apprehended. They also found a 13-year-old girl in the passenger seat who was also arrested.
As detectives scoped the scene, they discovered a homeless encampment was on the other side of the fence. A man and woman reported complaints of pain, but only the man was transported to a local hospital for examination.
Police say both 13-year-olds were arrested under suspicion of charges related to auto theft and hit and run. The boy is reportedly known as a “prolific auto thief” by the department.
Investigators confirm this incident is related to a recent TikTok trend where users are taught how to steal a Kia. Due to this increase in stolen Kias, Fresno Police are offering steering wheel locks to citizens at any substation in the city.
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