Australian children, aged 10-14, drive 620 miles in stolen car
FOUR Australian children who packed fishing rods into an SUV belonging to one of their parents and drove 620 miles were arrested by police on Sunday.
The children, aged between 10 and 14, escaped officers after a brief car chase in one town. They also fled two petrol stations without paying for fuel.
Police, who finally located the vehicle by the side of the highway, broke the window open after the children locked the doors and refused to step outside.
Investigators said the two-day joyride began in the city of Rockhampton in Queensland and in the neighbouring state of New South Wales.
Police believe they probably shared the driving. “It’s a pretty big journey, and it’s a long way for a young person. I suppose a couple of cans of Red Bull and you’re likely to do anything,” said Acting Insp Darren Williams.
In the town of Banana, a small community named after an old cattle-herding bull, the three boys and a girl allegedly stole diesel worth £67.
Harry White, a truck stop cashier, said he had seen security footage of the apparent theft and was struck by how short the driver was.
“He turned around to his mate or passenger in the car, had a small conversation which I assume was, ‘Hey mate, get ready, we’re getting out of here,’ – and that’s when he put it in the bowser [fuel pump] and … took off,” Mr White said.
They were also chased by police in the town of Glen Innes, where a 13-year-old boy was thought to be behind the wheel.
“There was a short pursuit up there with the Highway Patrol and due to the age of the driver and the road conditions, that was terminated by the officers,” said Acting Insp Williams.
The group was found parked off the Gwydir Highway at Jackadgery, west of Grafton, late on Sunday night, where the drama continued.
“The children were directed to open the doors to the vehicles [but] they’ve locked themselves in the car and police have had to use a baton to get into the vehicle to arrest them,” said Acting Insp Williams.
Police have said that they will press charges once the youngsters have been interviewed with their parents.