Australian Youths Steal Flashy Cars for Virtual Street Cred
Unencumbered by social norms, joyriding teens inflict reign of terror by stealing expensive and flashy cars and gloating about it online.
Coveting something you don’t have is a natural part of human existence. And there are plenty of incredible vehicles we’d all love to drive. But when desire overrides rationality, problems arise. Adults understand self-restraint. However, teens and young adults generally need proper guidance on how to navigate and temper raw emotions and limit adrenaline intensive activities.
Unfortunately, kids inevitably fall through the cracks. That’s the case with a surprisingly sophisticated gang of car thieves operating in the suburbs of Brisbane, Australia. Mahmood Fazal recently covered this nefarious group for Vice. He interviewed a member of the group and found little remorse for their actions. Essentially, the kids seek fame via social media. And to do that, they target flashy cars and big houses. But there are consequences.
Joyriding for Upvotes
What’s simultaneously disturbing and fascinating about the Australian youths is their sophisticated operation and desire for recognition. The Brisbane Northside gang, as they call themselves, are about 50 members strong. And even though they’re young, they know how to bypass theft deterrent measures. “The members, as young as 12, often bait guard dogs with sedatives in order to ransack homes for car keys,” writes Fazal. Additionally, they bring weapons with them on their raids. “Police have confirmed reports that crime in these areas has been escalating, predictably leading to locals who want action. In February, a Northside gang member’s home was raided, and police discovered a sawn-off shotgun and a spiked baseball bat with the inscription “Northside FTP,” wrote Fazal. This phenomenon is more than just some kids messing around. It’s a seven-year-old operation. And the kids seem unfettered by the threat of arrest.
‘I just do it for fun. I never knew I was gonna get so many followers.’
What motivates these kids? Upvotes, likes, comments, and pretty much everything associated with internet fame. The gang apparently has 20k followers on Instagram. That kind of recognition, especially for kids as young as 12 years old, is addicting. And it’s lead to some unfortunate consequences. “Last year, 14-year-old Jacob Hopkins was one of six occupants of a stolen car, all aged between 10 and 16, who ran a red light and collided with another vehicle before being wrapped around a pole at Rothwell, north of Brisbane. Jacob Hopkins died immediately. The occupants of the second car, a mother with her four children, escaped serious injury,” writes Fazal. But even the deaths of fellow members cannot override their desire to broadcast their crimes on social media. Fazal asks an anonymous member about their motivation, he replies ” “I just do it for fun. I never knew I was gonna get so many followers.”
Nice Cars, Dangerous Lifestyle
Although Fazal’s interviewee denies it, the gang clearly gravitates toward expensive vehicles. There’s talk of taking a BMW X5 out for a spin and the rush they got out of it. Similarly, the member boasts going about 137 mph in a BMW M2. And he claims the best car they ever stole was a Mercedes. All of these cars have several things in common. They offer increased performance over something like a Toyota Camry. Plus, they’re flashy luxury cars that naturally stand out among less expensive vehicles.
What can be done about these nihilistic youths? Clearly, these kids are falling through the cracks. Perhaps some type of outreach from exotic car owners could help curb the crime wave. A Lamborghini Huracan owner reached out and offered a ride to the kid who stole his mom’s car after she refused to buy him one. While that is a humorous story, the fact that people showed they cared about him probably went a long way toward making the child feel welcome. Perhaps a similar solution could help at-risk teenagers in Australia. Either way, we understand the desire to covet incredible vehicles. Although we don’t condone any of their actions. Make sure to head over to Vice to read about the psychology behind joyriding and the likely reasons why teenagers engage in such behavior.
Photos: Vice