A 12-year-old boy has been placed in juvenile detention after he stole a forklift truck and led police on an hourlong chase in Michigan.
The boy, identified only as an Ann Harbor local due to his age, stole a Construction Genie GTH-636 Telehandler at Forsyth Middle School on Saturday, the Ann Arbor Police Departmentsaidin a release Monday.
The authorities also stated that the boy hit ten parked vehicles during the pursuit, which happened after officers responded to a call reporting an attempt to steal the truck and found him driving the vehicle — which weighs up to 35,000 lbs.— “without any lights on” at 6:48 p.m.
“Multiple officers initiated a pursuit of the vehicle at speeds of 15 to 20mph with emergency lights and sirens on,” police shared. “During the pursuit, the driver of the stolen vehicle traveled through the Georgetown Boulevard neighborhood, striking approximately ten parked vehicles.”
Police stopped chasing the boy after 30 minutes as he drove across the M-14 bridge.
Ann Arbor Police
“At that time deputies with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office picked up the pursuit and followed the vehicle until the driver stopped at approximately 7:53pm in the area of M-14 and Gotfredson,” police stated.
No injuries occurred during the chase, the department confirmed.
Police chase stolen forklift in Michigan.Ann Arbor Police
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According to the department, the boy unlocked the vehicle with keys hidden inside the cab and was taken into custody following the chase before being put in a juvenile detention center.
“This was a very dangerous situation that could’ve easily ended with serious injuries,” police added.
A criminal investigation is ongoing following the incident.
The Ann Arbor Police Department did not immediately reply to PEOPLE’s request for further details.
source: people.com
