Rochester police say officers caught four boys in the act, trying to steal a Hyundai just east of downtown.
It happened around 6 last night near South Union Street and Chapman Alley.
The boys, ranging in age from 13 to 15, had arrived there in a Hyundai stolen earlier in the day.
When police showed up, they crashed into several parked cars, including an unoccupied police car, then tried to run away, but they were quickly arrested.
The recent surge in vehicle thefts is blamed in part on social media videos showing how easy it is to steal Hyundais and Kias.