MONCTON — Royal Canadian Mounted Police in southeastern New Brunswick have arrested three youths after a vehicle was reported stolen and a social media video showed risky behaviour on a busy Moncton street.
Stolen vehicle linked to dangerous stunt on Vaughan Harvey Boulevard
Police were alerted Sunday to multiple calls about what has been described as "car surfing" on a main arterial road. A video circulating online appears to show a boy seated on the roof of a vehicle as it travelled along Vaughan Harvey Boulevard.
Following the complaints, officers located and arrested a 16-year-old boy, a 16-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy. According to an RCMP news release, the vehicle seen in the clip was reported stolen.
Suspected links to other local property crimes
RCMP say the three youths are also suspected of a number of break-ins and thefts from both businesses and residences in the area. Police did not provide further details about charges or the timing and locations of the alleged incidents.
| Age | Gender | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Male | Arrested — suspected in thefts and break-ins |
| 16 | Female | Arrested — suspected in thefts and break-ins |
| 14 | Male | Arrested — suspected in thefts and break-ins |
Police have not released the identities of the youths because of their ages. No injuries have been reported in relation to the car-surfing incident.
Concerns about social media and copycat behaviour
Experts in injury prevention warn that stunts filmed for online attention can be lethal. Pamela Fuselli, chief executive officer of the national injury-prevention charity Parachute, expressed alarm at the potential for a resurgence of dangerous challenges on social platforms.
“I am hoping that this is not a resurgence or a challenge that is going to be taken up through social media because it so dangerous. We don’t see them very often, but when we do see them, they can be very very dangerous and fatal in some cases.”
Fuselli said incidents of car surfing are relatively rare in Canada but when they do occur the consequences can be severe. Her comments underscore public-health and safety concerns about young people performing risky acts for likes and shares.
What police and parents should watch for
Mounties have asked members of the public who may have additional footage or information about the incident to contact them. For parents and guardians, authorities and safety groups advise vigilance about youths' online activity and prompt discussion about the risks of participating in viral challenges.
- Report suspicious or dangerous driving to local police immediately.
- Save and share evidence with investigators rather than reposting viral clips that might encourage copycats.
- Talk with children about the real-life consequences of dangerous stunts, including injury, criminal charges and civil liability.
The RCMP release did not outline the precise charges laid or the court dates for the detained youths. Investigators continue to look into the alleged break-ins and thefts linked to the suspects and have asked anyone with information to come forward.
This developing story highlights tensions in communities across the province as law-enforcement officials, public-health agencies and families grapple with the intersection of youth behaviour, property crime and the amplifying effects of social media.
— Reporting for WE NEWS
