Teen arrested after allegedly causing $10,000 in damage tied to ‘Door Kick Challenge
PHOENIX (AZFamily/Gray News) — A teenager who caused $10,000 in damage to a Phoenix home as part of the viral “Door Kick Challenge” has been arrested, police said Thursday.
Investigators said the unidentified 14-year-old boy was arrested Sept. 13 and booked into the Durango Juvenile Detention Facility.
According to police, the 14-year-old and another underage suspect arrived at the house near 44th Street and Thunderbird Road on Sept. 12 about 6:30 a.m. in a stolen red Ford truck.
Ring video shows the two boys opening the family’s front gate as they try to cover their faces. One of them kicked the front door before they took off.
The family said the door is custom-built and will need to be completely remade at a cost of around $10,000.
The incident was part of the “Door Kick Challenge,” which encourages young people to kick front doors and record it for online attention, police said.
Investigators said they identified the 14-year-old and later confirmed the truck they were in was reported stolen from Scottsdale. Detectives said they also discovered evidence linking him to another stolen car.
Police did not say what led them to the suspect. He faces one count of criminal damage and one count of unlawful use of transportation.
Investigators did not release any information about the second person involved.
“This case demonstrates strong collaboration between multiple agencies and investigative units, resulting in the swift identification and arrest of the subject,” a Phoenix police spokesperson said.
Police are urging parents and guardians to talk with their kids about the consequences of taking part in dangerous online trends, and are asking community members to report suspicious activity.
