Philadelphia Boy, 10, Allegedly Takes Van on Destructive Joyride
A 10-year-old Philadelphia boy is facing charges of criminal mischief, receiving stolen property and unauthorized use of an automobile in juvenile court after he was caught on camera stealing a furniture delivery van and taking it for a joyride.
A minor who has not been named, the boy saw the white Ford van parked on a street in West Philadelphia Sunday afternoon with the keys hanging in the back door as the driver unloaded furniture, according to Philadelphia police. He allegedly grabbed the keys and jumped into the driver's seat and took off.
Barreling down the short block, the boy allegedly hit five parked cars and caused a mini pile-up. After rear-ending the fifth car, the boy jumped out of the van and attempted to flee, police said. A pedestrian caught him and held him for police, according to official.
The alleged incident was captured by a surveillance camera posted outside a produce store on the block.
"Looking out the window, saw a white van coming around the corner and it was just hitting everything as it was coming up the street," the store's owner, Arnett Woodall, told local ABC affiliate WPVI-TV. "Once it hit the last car and stopped, [I] seen the little guy jump out the car and run off."
The boy was unharmed and no injuries were reported, according to police.
Eyewitnesses, who can be seen in the video moving quickly to get out of the way of a van, told WPVI the boy seemed "very scared" and "disoriented" while under police custody.
"He said his mom has him stealing, him and his nephew stealing things to support a drug habit," store-owner Woodall said. "That was the story."
