12-Year-Old Arrested for Car Theft Spree in Michigan

A young boy, just 12 years old, was caught in the act of breaking into cars during a recent theft spree in Pontiac, Michigan. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Department apprehended him at the scene while he was attempting to access vehicles in a parking lot.

Police reports revealed that the suspect had stolen multiple vehicles over the past month. In one instance, he sold a stolen car for only $30. Officers found him with a license plate when he was detained, indicating prior involvement in vehicle thefts.

Detectives had been investigating the rash of stolen cars in the area for weeks. They staged a stakeout on June 28 and finally apprehended the boy at a location near a former General Motors plant, which produced cars of the same brand.

According to Sheriff Michael Bouchard, the boy’s early criminal behavior offers an opportunity for intervention. He expressed hope that legal action and support could redirect the young offender away from a life of crime, which has been a concern given the high theft rates in Pontiac, a city struggling economically since the decline of the auto industry.

The juvenile is currently in custody at Oakland County Children’s Village. The investigation continues, and authorities are examining whether the suspect’s accomplices or recipients of the stolen vehicles have been identified. Despite improvements, Pontiac still faces higher crime rates compared to similar-sized cities.