A 12-year-old boy was taken into custody after crashing one of his parents’ cars during a police chase in California.
On Monday, Sept. 22, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office reported that the child was arrested after taking the vehicle and leading authorities on a “short pursuit” in South Sacramento.
“Just after 7 AM this morning, Central Division Patrol Deputies responded after a 12-year-old took his parent’s vehicle and drove to his former school on Caymus Drive in South Sacramento,” the Facebook post read.
The post added, “The vehicle ran over traffic cones before leaving the area. Deputies quickly located the vehicle and attempted a stop, but the juvenile led them on a short pursuit through the neighborhood.”
“During the incident, the vehicle struck a parked car and one of our patrol units,” officials said.
The boy reportedly reached speeds of up to 70 mph, according to sheriff’s office spokesperson Sgt. Amar Gandhi, who spoke to the Los Angeles Times.
No injuries were reported, and the boy was taken to Sacramento County Juvenile Hall.
Authorities shared images showing a Ford truck with extensive front-end damage and a flat tire, surrounded by multiple police vehicles.
The child was booked on suspicion of 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, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Under California law, officers are required to take children under 14 into temporary custody while contacting their legal guardians. Gandhi told the outlet that he expected the boy had been, or would soon be, released to his parents.
In California, 12 is the minimum age a child can be held criminally responsible in juvenile court. Gandhi noted that while the boy’s parents will not face criminal charges, they could be held financially responsible for the damage if a civil case is filed.
