Child Drives Stolen Vehicle, Endangers Playground in Minneapolis
In a startling event, a 10-year-old boy from Minnesota has been apprehended after allegedly driving a stolen car into a playground, authorities reported. The incident occurred at Nellie Stone Johnson School in Northern Minneapolis on September 20.
Arrest and charges
The young suspect, whose identity remains confidential, was arrested last Friday and “booked into the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center on Thursday for probable cause second-degree assault,” according to a police statement. Remarkably, no injuries were reported, and “the driver struck no children on the playground.”
The boy is reportedly familiar to law enforcement, with “30 entries dating back to May 2023,” as police records reveal. His criminal record is extensive, making him a person of interest “in more than 12 cases” ranging from auto theft to assault with a dangerous weapon.
Surveillance footage shared by police captures the car navigating the grass and sidewalks around the playground, narrowly missing children. School staff members acted swiftly, moving children to safety, with one young girl narrowly avoiding the vehicle’s path.
Police chief’s statement
Police Chief Brian O’Hara highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, “It is unfathomable that a 10-year-old boy has been involved in this level of criminal activity without effective intervention.” He emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach, stating that “prison is not an acceptable option for a 10-year-old boy.”
Legal proceedings and community concerns
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office announced charges against the juvenile but withheld further details due to his age. They stressed, “we cannot charge or prosecute our way out of this crisis.”
Chief O’Hara described the incident as “a complex issue,” calling for collective intervention to prevent the child from further criminal activity. “This is only one example of the revolving door of arresting and re-arresting the same juveniles for auto theft and other violent crime,” he remarked.
The community and authorities now face the challenge of addressing the underlying issues that contribute to such alarming behavior at such a young age.
