Hot on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Boy, 9, Leads Cops on High-Speed Car Chase

Pint-sized driver may face charges for fleeing police

By Mat Probasco, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 31, 2009 1:28 AM CDT

(Newser) – A 9-year-old boy took his parents' car and led police on a 30-minute high-speed car chase—all because he didn't want to leave his friends to go to bed, reports the Indianapolis Star. Upset about his 8 pm curfew, the boy showered and was put to bed before he slipped out of his suburban Indianapolis home with his mother's keys, cell phone and $1.

The 4-foot-3 driver had trouble navigating the 2005 Chevrolet sedan, leading concerned drivers on US Highway 40 to call police about a possible drunk behind the wheel. Officers from five police departments chased the boy, who twice crossed into oncoming traffic at speeds of 80 mph before he finally pulled over. Previously treated for depression and attention deficit disorder, the child faces possible charges for fleeing law enforcement, but could receive counseling instead.

[Images (1)]

[Quotes (2)]

A suburban Indianapolis boy grabbed his mom's keys and led cops on an 80mph car chase because he didn't want to go to bed. (©walknboston)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

He was on his way out of town. Evidently, he didn’t want to be home. - Derek Towle, deputy chief of the Greenfield Police Department

This could’ve ended very tragically. Thank goodness it didn’t. - Derek Towle, deputy chief of the Greenfield Police Department

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Iowa Motorcyclist Convicted in 188MPH Chase

James Foldenauer eluded patrol cars, but not the plane

(NEWSER) - An Iowa man fleeing the cops on his motorcycle reached an astounding 188 mph on a public highway. James Foldenauer was convicted this week of eluding a peace officer for the breakneck chase in 2009, reports the Des Moines Register . Troopers say the speed is almost surely a state record, and prosecutors plan to push for the maximum punishment at his March sentencing: two years in jail. More»

Police Chase Woman, 76, for Miles—at 10mph

Cops form blockade to catch elderly driver

(NEWSER) - British cops spent more than an hour yesterday in hot pursuit of an elderly lady ... who was driving under 10mph. Police pursued Caroline Turner, 76, for 17 miles after she went the wrong way in a traffic circle, the Daily Mail reports. She didn't stop when police turned their lights on, and they had to catch her by creating a roadblock using multiple cars. An officer then dashed up to Turner's window and ran alongside the car. "There’s nothing to discuss. I’m going home," she said. More»

Girl, 6, Killed in Cop Car Chase

Driver of car escaped on foot, remains at large

(AP) - A Los Angeles police pursuit ended in a tragic crash, with the suspects' fleeing car hitting and killing a 6-year-old girl. The chase began last night after officers witnessed a drug deal. The driver lost control in a residential area and struck the girl, pinning her against a stone wall in front of a home, reports MSNBC . She died at a local hospital. Police say two passengers were taken into custody at the scene. The driver of the car fled on foot and remains at large. The death is bound to reignite debates about when dangerous high-speed police pursuits are justified. More»

Man Fleeing Police Jumps Into Women's Prison

Discovers this was a poor way to end car chase

(NEWSER) - Here’s a tip for budding fugitives: avoid prisons. Ricky Flowers needs a reminder, considering that he led police on a 90mph chase across several Ohio towns and two interstates early Monday before hitting a dead end in front of a women’s prison facility. Flowers and the three other men with him then got out and tried to run. Police grabbed three of them, but Flowers managed to scale a fence—landing him right in the prison yard. More»

Loose Zebra Causes Havoc in Atlanta

Ringling Bros. circus animal apprehended on congested highway

(NEWSER) - An escaped Ringling Brothers circus zebra led police on a mile-long high-speed chase yesterday in Atlanta, interfering with traffic on the city’s already congested Interstate. The episode lasted about 40 minutes, the AP reports. “All of a sudden a freaking zebra comes running down the street like a car,” a bystander recalls. “Five or six police cars were in hot pursuit.” The police apprehended the rogue animal, who was unharmed but for some minor cuts. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Boy, 9, Leads Cops on High-Speed Car Chase