MI Boy, 10, Steals SUV; Leads Police On Chase Down I-75: MSP

SAGINAW, MI — A 10-year-old boy was arrested Saturday after he stole an SUV near Saginaw and led police on a chase down Interstate 75 toward Detroit, according to Michigan State Police.

The boy was placed at the Saginaw County Juvenile Detention Center. Police did not say if he is facing charges or whom he stole the SUV from.

Troopers said the boy stole a 2017 Buick Encore from a home on Hess Avenue in Buena Vista Township, which is just outside Saginaw, on Saturday at roughly 1:40 p.m.

Officials said numerous 911 calls reported a child driving the SUV erratically on southbound on Interstate 75 in Buena Vista Township. At the same time, troopers used the GM vehicle's OnStar feature to find its exact location.

That's when troopers found the Buick speeding on Interstate 75 in the Birch Run area, which is about 16 miles south of Buena Vista Township, officials said.

Troopers tried to get the Buick to stop by activating its emergency lights and sirens, but the boy continued speeding on the freeway, officials said.

The Buick's OnStar service remotely disabled the vehicle (which it can do if a vehicle is reported stolen) and the SUV slowed down before crashing into a guardrail near the 135-mile marker near Birch Run, officials said.

After the crash, the boy got out of the Buick and ran into nearby woods, officials said.

Troopers captured the boy after a short foot chase, officials said.

The boy was not injured in the crash or foot chase, officials said. Troopers said the SUV suffered light damage after bumping into the guardrail.

When troopers questioned the boy, he told them he wanted to visit his mom, who was in Detroit, according to an MLive report, citing police.