A 10-year-old boy was arrested in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for reportedly stealing a car and driving dangerously near a school playground, nearly hitting other children who were playing.
According to Fox 9, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed on Friday that the incident occurred on September 20 at the playground outside Nellie Stone Johnson School.
Surveillance footage shows the boy driving the stolen vehicle back and forth behind the playground before driving onto the sidewalk, which is only a few steps from the playground, while children are around.
According to O’Hara, the vehicle did not strike any children.
O’Hara stated that the 10-year-old was recognized as the driver on Thursday. He was arrested and put into Hennepin County Juvenile Detention with a probable cause of second-degree assault.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office announced in a news statement on Friday that charges had been filed in this instance, Fox 9 reported. O’Hara stated that the child has been charged with careless driving and receiving stolen stuff.
The attorney’s office also stated that a person cannot be charged if they are unable to assist their lawyers in their defense or do not grasp the judicial proceedings.
A court-appointed psychologist will assess a person’s competence and provide their recommendation to the judge, who will make the final decision. If a kid is deemed not competent, he or she will be freed from custody, and the case will be dismissed or suspended.
“We are facing an urgent crisis in our community related to a small group of children who are not competent to stand trial in the juvenile justice system, but who cannot safely be at home,” a statement issued by the attorney’s office read. “We are actively working with law enforcement, as well as county and state partners, to address the important need for safe and appropriate out-of-home placements for children with these complex needs who require specialized care. We can’t charge or prosecute our way out of this issue.
“What we need is clear: residential placements with varying levels of security in our community that are resourced and staffed to be able to accept and successfully treat our youth with complex needs,” according to the statement. “And we need urgent and immediate action to address this issue now.”
According to O’Hara, the youngster has previously stolen cars and has been arrested in at least two other cases involving auto theft. He is also a suspect in over a dozen other crimes, including auto theft, assault with a deadly weapon, and robbery.
The child’s criminal history goes back to May 2023. He has about 30 records, the majority of which are for runaway situations. According to Fox 9, the boy’s family is cooperating with law authorities and has requested assistance to “keep their son or anyone else from being injured or killed,” according to police.
On Friday, charges were filed in connection with a separate August incident, according to O’Hara. In that case, the kid and other adolescents approached a victim with a knife in hand, threatening her with the words “I will gut you” as they attempted to steal her car.
O’Hara said the youngster was accused in that case of making threats of violence and attempting to conduct motor theft.
“It is unfathomable that a 10-year-old boy has had this level of criminal activity without effective intervention,” O’Hara told reporters. “Prison is not a suitable punishment for a 10-year-old boy. However, people who can prevent this behavior from occurring again must act immediately.
This is just one example of the revolving door we’re facing: arresting and re-arresting the same adolescents for auto theft and other serious offenses. This is a complex issue, and we need all parties involved in the intervention to work together immediately to provide short- and long-term answers.”