California police officers arrested a 12-year-old boy, who is accused of stealing his parents' truck, following a high-speed pursuit.
Deputies from Sacramento County responded to a call on Monday shortly before 7:00 a.m. regarding a young boy who took his parents' car on a joyride to his school on Caymus Drive. He reportedly knocked over several traffic cones on the way before driving away to avoid apprehension.
California Police Arrest 12-Year-Old Boy
When the suspect refused to stop for sheriff's deputies, they were forced to engage in a chase of the stolen car driven by the 12-year-old. Authorities pursued the vehicle throughout the surrounding neighborhood at speeds of up to 70 mph.
The short chase quickly ended after the minor crashed the truck into a patrol car and a parked vehicle. The department shared images of the incident, which showed a Ford pickup with significant damage to the front driver's side and a flat tire, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Department spokesperson Sgt. Amar Gandhi said that no one was injured during the incident, adding that the 12-year-old boy was taken into custody. The boy 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.
In a statement following the incident, the sheriff's office said that they expect traffic delays in the area of Gerber Road and Valley Wood Drive, KCRA reported.
A High-Speed Pursuit
The pursuit comes as 12 is the minimum age at which a minor can be held criminally responsible for charges in juvenile court in California. Because the suspect in this case is younger than 14, officers are legally required to take him into temporary custody while they contact his guardians.
On Friday, Gandhi noted that he expected the young boy had been, or would shortly be, released to his parents. The situation comes as juvenile cases are sent to a county probation officer who is responsible for reviewing the police report and interviewing the child and family.
They are the ones who decide whether to file a petition for charges in juvenile court or handle it informally through various avenues, such as warnings or required counseling for the suspects. The parents of the 12-year-old boy are not facing any criminal charges themselves.
However, if a civil case is filed, they could be found financially responsible for damage caused by their son, as per Yahoo News.
