Milwaukee Police Investigate 'Kia Boys' YouTube Documentary

MILWAUKEE, WI — Milwaukee police are investigating after a YouTuber on Tuesday uploaded a video documenting the loose collection of car thieves known as the "Kia Boys."

Tommy Gerszewski, who has uploaded videos since 2013, filmed interviews with residents and self-proclaimed Kia Boys on the city's north side. That video shows several teens driving recklessly in a car and others in masks explaining how to break into cars and start their engines.

Dozens of videos had surfaced on social media before the documentary, crediting numerous car thefts and auto wrecks to the "Kia Boys."

Police are reviewing the video for content for a criminal investigation, the Milwaukee Police Department said in a statement Thursday. Police called the video "disturbing."

In the video, several teens drive up and down a street in a red car, nearly crash on the sidewalk and keep going. The teens being interviewed share they don't feel as if there are consequences for their actions, and Gerszewski describes their afternoon as "just another Tuesday."

"It's going to be a bloody summer," one teen said in the video. "A lot of (expletive) are going to die."

"Look at what I'm driving because of the Kia Boys," one woman said in the video. "I can't take the kids to school, I can't make appointments and I got to call into work. They're doing this to our city and it's not right."

Sherman Park Community Association Vice President Jordan Morales accused the filmmaker of glorifying the Kia Boys and their actions. "Obviously, the host of that documentary was laughing along with them and making jokes and stuff like that," he told Fox 6 Milwaukee.

"My goal is to take my viewers on an adventure to places they wouldn't normally go and make them laugh along the way," Gerszewski said in an email to Patch.

The filmmaker found the Kia Boys fascinating "because it blows my mind that teenage kids are doing something so dangerous, reckless and without regard for others."

Some commenters also expressed gratitude: "Living in the Milwaukee area I'm so glad you brought this issue to light," one commenter said. "I don't live on the north side but I know there are a lot of good people there just trying to peacefully live their lives. They don't deserve all this bull (expletive.)"

"I used to be ignorant as a teen," another commenter said. "I’ve seen it all, but I’m 27 with kids now. It’s crazy seeing young kids doing stuff like this. I wish they could mature and put that energy into something productive. Life can get cut short quick."

Two thirds of the 5,144 cars stolen in Milwaukee up to July 2021 were made by Kia or Hyundai, Urban Milwaukee reported. Cars without engine immobilizers, which many Kias and Hyundais lack, can be driven without a key.

Nearly half, or 48.8 percent, of the people arrested for stealing cars up to December 2021 were 16 or younger, Urban Milwaukee reported. Only 5.6 percent of people arrested were older than 35.

Police wouldn't give further details about their investigation into the video, other than to say it is ongoing.