Michigan boy, 12, leads police chase in stolen forklift
Luke Gentile
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A Michigan boy led police on a chase that lasted over an hour Saturday while driving a stolen forklift.
The 12-year-old hit at least 10 different vehicles while driving the forklift, identified as a a Construction Genie GTH-636 Telehandler, which he stole outside a middle school, according to a report citing the Ann Arbor Police Department.
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He discovered the keys to the 35,000-pound machine inside its cab and took off, police said.
Authorities were first alerted to the boy’s actions in a 6:45 p.m. distress call, and when they arrived on the scene, they saw him driving the machine down the street.
A pursuit ensued at around 15 to 20 mph as police sirens blared and lights flashed, according to the report.
The police chase ended at 7:20 p.m. after the boy left Ann Arbor city limits, and the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office took over until he stopped driving around 8 p.m., the report noted.
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No injuries were reported, and the child was taken into custody and placed in a juvenile detention center.
“This was a very dangerous situation that could’ve easily ended with serious injuries,” police said in a statement. “The incident remains an active and ongoing criminal investigation.”