Driver (13), eight other children in stolen car

WELLINGTON: Parents of a group of nine children found crammed into a stolen Suzuki Swift early yesterday had no idea their children were not asleep at home, police say.

A 13yearold girl was behind the wheel of the car which was stopped in Kapiti by police about 1.30am.

Acting Sergeant Nathan Dickey said police received a complaint from a family member that her car had been stolen from her home address and three of her family members and one of their friends were responsible.

The car was taken from a Paraparaumu Beach house.

An hour later, the Suzuki was found travelling south in Paraparaumu.

‘‘Police turned around to stop the vehicle, however the driver increased its speed and turned down a side street,’’ Acting Sgt Dickey said.

‘‘The vehicle then pulled over to the side of the road.

Police were aware of four of the occupants’ ages and there was no pursuit.

The driver stopped about 20 seconds after seeing police.

Acting Sgt Dickey said there was a 16yearold in the front passenger seat, and seven other children aged as young as 10 squeezed into the back seat, with some sitting in the footwells and others sitting on laps. Most were unrestrained.

The children belonged to seven different families, and their parents had not realised they were not at home when police brought them back, he said.

The children will be referred to Youth Aid. — NZME