A 10-year-old boy driving a stolen car led Michigan State Police troopers on a mile-long chase on Interstate 75 in an attempt to travel to Detroit to see his mother.
The General Motors OnStar security system inside the 2017 Buick Encore reported to law enforcement on May 27 that it had been stolen from a residence in Buena Vista, Michigan, and that the car was being driven southbound down I-75 at high rates of speed.
OnStar is the in-vehicle security service for GM cars.
Troopers attempted a stop near the highway’s Birch Run exit, but the juvenile driver did not comply. At the same time, witnesses called 911 reporting the boy, who is less than five feet tall, behind the wheel.
OnStar was able to disable the vehicle safely and remotely. After being chased for about a mile, the car decreased speed, bumped into a guardrail, and came to a stop. The boy attempted to escape on foot after exiting the car’s passenger door, but was apprehended by police.
No injuries were reported. Footage posted by the Michigan State Police on Friday shows the end of the impromptu chase.
The Trooper was behind the suspect for about a mile with lights & sirens activated while OnStar disabled the Buick, allowing for a safe stop. Thankfully, nobody was injured in this incident. Note: there is no sound in this video. pic.twitter.com/nqSwdpm4eI
— MSP Third District (@mspbayregion) June 2, 2023
The suspect, unnamed by law enforcement, was living with relatives before the incident and is purported to have taken the car so he could drive to Detroit to see his mom. The boy indicated that the car belongs to his mother.
The boy faces single counts of unlawfully driving a motor vehicle, resisting/obstructing police, and fourth-degree fleeing and eluding police. He is due in court for a preliminary hearing on June 26, according to Michigan news site MLive.com.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.