A 12-year-old boy calling from Michigan embarked on a thrilling escapade over the weekend. Seizing the opportunity, he took over stolen construction equipment, destroying Ann Arbor's streets.
The Ann Arbor police department has released video footage capturing a daring escapade involving a young boy. The footage showcases the young boy skillfully operating a massive 35,000-pound machine, which unfortunately resulted in collisions with approximately ten parked vehicles, as per to USA Today.
Michigan Officers Arrest Boy For Stealing Forklift
A masked protester drives a forklift he stole during a demonstration on May Day (Labour Day), to mark the international day of workers, more than a month after the government pushed an unpopular pensions reform act through parliament, in Nantes, northwestern France, on May 1, 2023. - Opposition parties and trade unions have urged protesters to maintain their three-month campaign against the law that will hike the retirement age to 64 from 62.
Authorities initially became aware of the situation when they received a distress call at around 6:45 p.m. on Saturday. Upon arriving at the scene, they witnessed the boy driving the stolen construction equipment down the street.
What followed was a pursuit, with police sirens blaring and lights flashing, as they attempted to apprehend the young offender. The chase continued for about half an hour, with the boy driving at speeds ranging from 15 to 20 mph.
Eventually, the pursuit ended when the boy exited the limits of Ann Arbor, and the responsibility was transferred to the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office. The boy finally ceased driving at approximately 8 p.m.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of this dangerous joy ride. The child was taken into custody and placed in a juvenile detention center, where he currently remains. The incident is being actively investigated as a criminal matter.
Dashcam footage from the incident revealed that the boy had driven the forklift without any lights, further exacerbating the dangerous situation, according to Washington Examiner.
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12-Year-Old's Vehicle Pursuit Ends at Local Bridge
During the pursuit, he navigated through the Georgetown Boulevard neighborhood, causing damage to parked vehicles along the way. Police decided to end the chase when the boy reached a local bridge.
The keys to the stolen construction equipment were found inside the cab, suggesting its owner had left it unlocked. It is unclear how the boy gained access to the hidden key. The Ann Arbor police department emphasized the gravity of the situation, acknowledging that it could have easily resulted in serious injuries.
The timing of the incident coincided with the Michigan-Ohio State college football game, a highly anticipated event that draws thousands of visitors to Ann Arbor's Michigan Stadium each year. The 12-year-old driver was apprehended and later booked at the Washtenaw County Youth Center.
A representative from Ann Arbor schools revealed that the forklift was being used at the school for renovation work. The incident has prompted an ongoing investigation into how the key was left accessible and whether additional security measures should be implemented.
Authorities issued a statement reiterating the dangerous nature of the incident and expressing relief that no one was harmed. As the investigation continues, the community will await further developments in this extraordinary case involving a pre-teen joy rider and a stolen construction vehicle, Mail Online reported.
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