TOKYO - FOUR Japanese teenagers who stole a car and went on a shoplifting spree told police they wanted to be like the characters in the 2001 heist movie Ocean's Eleven, local media reported on Tuesday.

The four boys, aged between 14 and 15 years old, were enamored of the movie starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, whose characters rob three of the largest casinos in Las Vegas, the Daily Yomiuri reported.

'We thought the robbery was cool. We wanted to act like in the movie. We're sorry,' they were quoted as telling police.

The teenagers reportedly called their group 'Ocean's Eleven make believe', practiced pickpocketing from each another, stole a car after starting the engine by sticking a pair of scissors in the ignition and went on a shoplifting spree.

The case was referred to prosecutors on Monday.

A spokesman for the Tokyo metropolitan police confirmed the four boys were detained in October on suspicion of car theft, but declined to provide further details. -- AFP