12-year-old leads Sacramento cops on 70-mph chase after swiping parents' SUV
A 12-year-old boy stole his parents' SUV to drive to his former school, prompting a high-speed pursuit with sheriff's deputies in Sacramento; no injuries reported.
A 12-year-old boy stole his parents' Ford SUV and led Sacramento County deputies on a high-speed chase that reached as fast as 70 mph before he crashed into a patrol car, authorities said Monday. The incident occurred around 7 a.m. in Sacramento, and deputies said the boy took the vehicle to go to his former school, though they did not explain why he wanted to return there.
According to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, the young driver drove away from the school area after arriving and then refused to stop when deputies reached the scene. He allegedly ran over traffic cones and sped away, prompting a pursuit that ended when he struck a parked car and one of the department's patrol units. No one was injured in the crashes, the sheriff's office said.
The boy was taken into custody and transported to Sacramento County Juvenile Hall. He faces multiple charges, including hit and run, assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, reckless evasion of a peace officer, vehicle theft and receiving a stolen vehicle, according to the Los Angeles Times, which cited the sheriff's office.
Under California law, 12 is the minimum age for criminal charges in a state criminal court, so the boy's parents will not be charged. However, civil suits seeking damages for repairs and related costs could be pursued against the family.