A 12-year-old boy who stole his grandfather's car and drove it nearly 160 miles is now in police custody, Washington state officials said Wednesday.
The boy, who has not been identified, allegedly stole the car from his grandfather in Issaquah, Washington, according to a statement from Grant County authorities. shared on social mediaThe boy had “some connection” to a town in Grant County in the eastern part of Washington state, so Issaquah police informed county deputies that the boy could drive there.
After receiving the call, the Grant County Sheriff's Office Motor Traffic Unit began searching for the car. At around 10:20 am, they found the vehicle parked at a turn. The sheriff's office said the boy allegedly “led the deputy on a brief chase.”
The chase ended when the representatives demonstrated pit maneuverWhich occurs when a law enforcement vehicle comes alongside another car and forces it to suddenly turn and stop. Police said no one was injured, and vehicle damage was “minimal”.
The boy covered a total distance of 161 miles before being stopped by the police, The Seattle Times reportedTheir route included passing through the Cascade Mountains.
The boy is being held in custody at the Chelan County Juvenile Justice Center on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle and felony theft, the sheriff's office said.