'Astonishing' increase in car theft charges as juvenile cases surge 500% in King County

Car theft charges against juveniles in King County, Washington increased by over 500% in 2023. Serious felonies, including violent crimes, also saw significant increases. The surge in car theft charges was attributed to a viral trick on TikTok for stealing certain Kia and Hyundai models. Violent criminal charges, including armed robbery, shootings, and sexual assault, were also up significantly. The number of juvenile criminal bookings increased by 61%, with a total of 631 bookings into juvenile detention in 2023. Juvenile car theft is seen as a precursor to more criminal activity. The increase in youth involvement in crime is alarming, with some cases involving children as young as 12 years old. The lack of residential treatment facilities is considered a major factor in preventing juvenile crime.