13-year-old steals car in Solvay and leads police on a chase, police say

Solvay, N.Y. — A 13-year-old boy stole a car in Solvay early Tuesday morning and led police on a car and foot chase, police said.
The boy made several attempts to break into vehicles and steal them around 5 a.m. this morning, Solvay Police Chief Derek Osbeck said.
Around, 5:12 a.m., a 911 caller reported a Hyundai Elantra was broken into on Caroline Avenue, according to Onondaga County 911 Center dispatch reports. The car had ignition damage and the rear window was smashed, dispatchers said.
The caller said the Hyundai’s alarm scared off the suspect, according to dispatch reports.
Moments later, a second 911 caller reported a person took off in a stolen vehicle from Oakridge Drive in Solvay, according to dispatch reports.
Osbeck said the boy was initially unsuccessful when trying to steal a car, but was able to get one vehicle started. He drove away.
Around 5:20 a.m., officers spotted a Hyundai on Willis Avenue in Syracuse and followed the car, according to dispatch reports.
The driver tried to evade police, Osbeck said.
Police followed the vehicle until the boy ditched the vehicle and fled on foot on the west end of Syracuse, Osbeck said. Solvay officers caught the youth after a brief foot chase.
The boy was released to his grandmother pending charges, Osbeck said.
In 2021, stealing Kia and Hyundais went viral on social media. On TikTok, kids across the country who call themselves the “Kia Boyz” have figured out how to break into the Kias and Hyundais with nothing but a screwdriver and a USB cord.
The Kias and Hyundais are easy to steal because the two automakers left out anti-theft hardware on vehicles manufactured from 2011 to 2022 — hardware found on nearly every other automobile manufactured during that period.
The teens committing the car thefts often don’t face consequences. If teens are under 18 and charged solely with stealing a car or being in a stolen car, they are issued a ticket. The first stop is not court, but probation, usually a few days after the arrest.
Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at [email protected]