2News Investigates is examining a potential increase in motor vehicle thefts committed by juveniles in Utah, following a tragic incident in Ogden. The investigation comes after a crash on Friday, March 27, resulted in the deaths of two brothers, 7-year-old Jaimito and 11-year-old Izarel, and injuries to other family members.

Ogden Crash Details

Ogden police stated that a 14-year-old driver fled from officers in Weber County, leading to the fatal collision. The 14-year-old driver remains hospitalized but is expected to be booked into juvenile detention once medically cleared. His passenger, also 14 years old, will not face charges, according to Ogden Police Captain Tim Scott. Captain Scott indicated the suspect has a prior juvenile criminal record.

“We are told the suspect is a highly competent 14-year-old with a juvenile criminal record that is consistent with this wreck,” Capt. Scott stated. A vigil was held Saturday near the crash site to honor the victims and support their family. Ernest Avila, a nearby resident, described the scene as “a mess” and “very sad and scary.”

Recent Tragedies & National Trends

The Ogden crash isn’t an isolated incident. On November 9, 2023, a 16-year-old, Malachi Portwood, stole a U.S. Army minivan in Sandy and subsequently injured a motorcyclist, ultimately requiring the motorcyclist’s leg amputation. Portwood, who had escaped from a group home, was later fatally shot by a Sandy Police Officer, an action recently deemed justified.

Data from the Council on Criminal Justice reveals that juvenile arrest rates for motor vehicle theft were four times higher in the 1980s and 1990s than those for adults. Ernesto Lopez, a Senior Research Specialist at the Council, noted, “We’re at a really low point when it comes to vehicle theft generally and with juvenile motor vehicle theft.”

Social Media's Role

While overall vehicle theft has decreased, juvenile theft has seen a recent uptick. Lopez attributes this to social media trends. “Since around 2022 to 2023, we've seen a rise in juvenile motor vehicle thefts in relation to the spread of a viral TikTok video on how to steal certain vulnerable Hyundai and Kia vehicles,” he explained. Erik Opsal, communications director for the Council on Criminal Justice, confirmed that the “Kia Boyz” TikTok videos contributed to a significant increase in juvenile car thefts between 2021 and 2022.

Utah-Specific Data

An analysis of Utah’s Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) data shows that in 2023, one child under 10 was arrested for motor vehicle theft. Among those aged 11-15, 48 arrests were made, down from 75 in 2022. For the 16-17 age group, 51 arrests were recorded, a decrease of eight from the previous year.

Prevention and Early Intervention

Lopez emphasized the importance of preventative measures and early intervention. “Work on identifying more risk factors at a younger age, right, and not until it's too late,” he said. “You have to have empathy when dealing with these situations, but also looking back at what systems can we improve to try to mitigate these instances from happening in the future.”

The Ogden Police Department is currently compiling data on juvenile motor vehicle theft, but Captain Scott indicated it is taking longer than anticipated to verify and provide a detailed breakdown.