LA PORTE, Texas – A teen left damaging evidence in his cellphone after recording himself singing and rapping inside of a stolen vehicle, according to La Porte police.
Kenneth Davis, 17, is charged with two counts of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and burglary of a motor vehicle.
"A lot of people might think why would you film yourself, a lot of younger criminals in today's society are looking for that attention and they want to brag," said Sgt. John Krueger with the La Porte Police Department.
Shortly before 4 a.m. Monday, La Porte officers observed three pickup trucks driving without the headlights on in the 3400 block of West Plantation. As officers attempted to stop the vehicles, the third truck stopped, but the front two sped away.
Additional officers began pursuit of the fleeing vehicles while Davis, who was driving the first truck, stopped and was taken into police custody.
One of the trucks was found abandoned, but the other was never recovered.
The abandoned truck and the truck Davis was driving were both found to have damaged steering columns, indicative of auto theft, police say.
Police also linked Davis to a recent vehicle burglary in the 8700 block of Collingdale.
Investigators believe Davis is among a group of people who target Dodge trucks.
"You have at the least amount, four people with as many as possibly seven or eight," said Sgt. Krueger. "If they're seeking out Dodge trucks, they're familiar with how to break into those types of trucks, how to defeat those locks, how to break into those particular steering columns."
Investigators said they found even more evidence against Davis when conducting an authorized search of his cellphone.
Davis cellphone had an image of him taking a "selfie" video in another stolen vehicle taken from a neighboring community. Investigators followed up on details pictured in the video as Davis sang Drake's "How About Now" to himself, and were able to secure a second charge of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
Investigators are currently working leads on finding the other suspects, and Davis' phone contained photos and videos of other potential stolen vehicle crimes.
LPPD investigators are working with surrounding agencies to solve those crimes as well.
Davis has since bonded out of jail and is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 25.