Bizarre moment: Three Washington teenagers who stole Kia as part of a TikTok challenge are found after a high-speed chase by cops hiding in the locked PortaPotty
- The incident took place in Thurston County, Washington on Wednesday and was caught on police cameras
- There were six people in the stolen car, the driver was spotted driving irregularly and police tried to stop him
- They tried to escape, reaching speeds of up to 70 mph on a 25 mph road. The drunk driver lost control of the car and fell, three suspects fled
A group of teenagers who stole a Kia as part of a TikTok challenge were found hiding in a locked portable toilet after a high-speed chase in which they crashed the car.
The incident took place in Thurston County, Washington on Wednesday and was caught on police cameras.
There were six people in the stolen car, including five teenagers, and police received reports of a hit-and-run accident. The driver was seen driving erratically and officers attempted to stop him.
However, they tried to escape, reaching speeds of up to 70 mph on a 25 mph road. The driver, who police said was drunk, lost control of the car and fell.
They attempted to continue, but officers performed a sudden maneuver in the pits and brought the vehicle to a halt. Three suspects ran away and were later found in a portable toilet.
A group of teenagers who stole a Kia as part of a TikTok challenge were found hiding in a locked portable toilet after a high-speed chase in which they crashed the car
The incident took place in Thurston County, Washington on Wednesday and was caught on police cameras
Dashcam footage released by the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office shows a police car chasing the stolen Kia.
Eventually, it catches up with the vehicle and the panicked driver loses control and crashes into the curb.
The group attempted to drive away, but a deputy performed a pit maneuver to stop the car. This involves the front of a squad car crashing into one of the rear tires of the car it is pursuing, causing the vehicle to skid and usually come to a stop.
Another officer got out and approached the car, but the teenagers abandoned the Kia and ran away.
Bodycam footage shows authorities using a police dog to search for the group in a lumber depot.
The animal is interested in a locked portable toilet and the officer calls out, “Hey, locked.”
Then he says, “Now, if you’re in there, come out with both hands up.” We have a canine department. We know you’re inside.’
An officer tells the teenagers, “We know you’re inside,” and eventually they come out.
“Hands, hands. “Everyone on your knees,” the male deputy says, pointing his gun at them, and another colleague radios in for assistance.
One of the teenagers complains about the gun and the officer replies, ‘You’re fleeing a stolen car, I’ll leave it pointed at you too.’ Be quiet.’
All three suspects were subsequently arrested. A MP asked how old they were, and a boy replied, “I’m only 17.”
Sheriff Derek Sanders told KOMO News the chase began after a hit-and-run accident.
There were six people in the stolen car, including five teenagers, and police received reports of a hit-and-run accident. The driver was seen driving erratically and officers attempted to stop him
They tried to escape, reaching speeds of up to 70 mph on a 25 mph road. The driver, who police said was drunk, lost control of the car and fell
Three suspects sprinted out of the damaged car and were later found inside a portable toilet
“Obviously it’s really frustrating. “It’s summer, we have kids who are unsupervised, kids who are bored.”
He believes the teenagers stole the car as part of a “KIA social media challenge.”
“It’s always very difficult to keep your balance,” Sanders said. “Are we taking the risk of chasing the vehicle and crashing it into someone?”
Nobody was injured in the incident. has reached out to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office for comment.
Car thefts were sparked by a Tik Tok trend in which users showed how to steal Kia and Hyundai vehicles that lack basic security features.
Although the original challenge video was removed, copycats emerged, prompting TikTok to urge users to report any copies made.
Authorities said these thefts resulted in at least 14 reported accidents and eight fatalities.
Kia and Hyundai announced in February that they would provide free software fixes for 8.3 million vehicles to halt a spate of thefts inspired by the TikTok videos.