Masked teens are vandalizing California for hundreds in damages, but police can’t catch them due to one modern convenience

A group of masked teenagers in Elk Grove, California are breaking people’s front doors as part of a TikTok trend that’s come back. The so-called “Door Kick Challenge” has pranksters running up to random houses and kicking the doors as hard as they can before running away.

According to the New York Post, the Elk Grove Police Department said there have been at least eight door kicking incidents in the area, which sits about 15 miles south of Sacramento. One homeowner had to pay $900 just to fix their doorframe after one of these attacks. In California, if you damage someone’s property for more than $400, it counts as a felony. When minors cause more than $950 in damage, their parents have to pay for it.

Law enforcement is having a tough time catching these teens because of how they get away. “You can’t catch them if you can’t see them,” resident Ronnie Monroe explained. “They get on electric bikes, and they are gone.” The kids use electric bikes to speed off before anyone can stop them, which makes it nearly impossible for police to chase them down.

These kids are playing a dangerous game

Police managed to arrest two 13-year-olds who caused over $680 in damage. Before that, three other young people were arrested back in November for doing the same thing, but police didn’t say how old they were or give their names.

Videos from doorbell cameras show two people wearing masks running toward a house, then turning around to kick the front door. These attacks happen at all different times, including really early in the morning when people are sleeping. The state has been dealing with various youth-related issues, as California officials face challenges over age verification plans.

Monroe’s house got hit twice in September, first at 1 in the morning and then again at 5 in the morning. His granddaughter was really scared by one of the attacks.

“The granddaughter came flying in and she was scared, all panicky, which I can understand that,” Monroe told the media. After one of the kicks, Monroe and his family ran after the group and found them kicking another neighbor’s door down the street.

People in the neighborhood are worried these pranks might end badly. “Somebody could come out with a gun, and you could never know, these kids could be dead just for a stupid prank,” Monroe said. The incident adds to growing concerns about public safety across California as state leaders address various issues.

Elk Grove Police Sergeant Jason Jiminez talked about how scary this must be for families. “It sounds like someone is kicking down your door to try and hurt your family,” he said.

Police want parents to talk to their kids about why this is serious. “We want to use this as an opportunity to remind our community that while trends like this may seem like harmless fun, they can have serious consequences,” the police department said. “Talking with your children about safety, respect for others’ property, and making good choices helps keep everyone safe and build a stronger community.”