COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Columbus teen whose mother had previously begged for authorities to keep him locked up after routinely stealing cars was arrested again for stealing a Kia in Columbus, records say.
According to a Whitehall Division of Police incident report, Akie Benjamin stole a Kia from a hotel near the John Glenn Columbus International Airport on Tuesday. A judge set his bond at $5,000 in court Wednesday morning.
Whitehall police received a Flock camera alert about the Kia, which was reported stolen by the Columbus Division of Police, in the area of East Broad Street and Yearling Road. A deputy saw the vehicle park at an apartment complex while marked and unmarked police vehicles responded to the area. A 17-year-old girl left an apartment vehicle and got into the car.
Unmarked police vehicles got closer to the Kia and Benjamin allegedly accelerated and crashed into a cruiser. Benjamin got out of the car and was arrested after a brief chase.
“He actually says to his female passenger as he sees the cars blocking him in, those are undercover, that's when he throws it in gear and he tries to slam right through them. It was an intentional act,” Whitehall Deputy Chief Dan Kelso explained.
The incident report says Benjamin also admitted to stealing the car. Suspected crack cocaine was also found on him. While being questioned by police, the report states that Benjamin said he forgot it was in his pocket, but then stated that he "sometimes shares his clothes with friends."
In December, Whitehall police say they arrested him on back-to-back days in stolen cars.
Benjamin's mother previously spoke with 10TV. In September 2023, Tiffany Hammons said Benjamin had repeatedly stolen vehicles. A month later, Hammons said he was shot while trying to steal another car.
“I've been begging and pleading - please arrest him. Lock him up, do something that's going to make him pay for the things that he's out here doing," Hammons said in 2023.
Benjamin is currently booked in the Franklin County jail. He is charged with receiving stolen property, possession of cocaine and three misdemeanors.