A ten-year-old boy has been arrested after he drove a stolen car across a “crowded” school playground.
The incident took place on 20 September on a playground in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The boy was arrested on Thursday, according to Minneapolis Police.
No one was killed or hurt during the incident at Nellie Stone Johnson School in north Minneapolis.
One child watched as the car passed between her and the playground. Pic: Minneapolis Police
Adults could be seen telling the children to get out the way of the onrushing car. Pic: Minneapolis Police
In the video, a number of youngsters can be seen happily playing in video footage as a car crosses the grass in the background.
School staff then begin moving children away from the vehicle and onto the playground as it passes closer and closer.
At one point, it passes in between one young girl and the playground and a figure can be seen on video footage behind the wheel.
Police said that the boy had twice been arrested for vehicle thefts, and their records indicate at least 30 entries relating to him dating back to May 2023.
“The boy is also listed as a suspect in more than 12 cases that range from auto theft to robbery to assault with a dangerous weapon,” they added.
The family was working with police, and force chief Brian O’Hara said: “It is unfathomable that a ten-year-old boy has been involved in this level of criminal activity without effective intervention.
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“Prison is not an acceptable option for a ten-year-old boy. But the adults who can stop this behaviour going forward must act now to help this child and his family.
“This is only one example of the revolving door we’re dealing with – arresting and re-arresting the same juveniles for auto theft and other violent crimes.
“This is a complex issue, and we need every entity involved in intervention to come together immediately to establish short and long-term solutions.”
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Pic: Minneapolis Police
Hennepin County Attorney’s Office filed charges against the young boy “because of the very significant safety implications” of what he did.
They also cited a “small group of children” who posed serious problems to authorities.
“We are actively engaged with law enforcement, as well as county and state partners, about the critical need for safe and appropriate out-of-home placements for children with these complex needs who require specialized care. We cannot charge or prosecute our way out of this crisis,” they said.
