Source:
https://scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2101034/chinese-boy-12-steals-bus-and-takes-it-40-minute-joyride
China

Chinese boy, 12, steals bus and takes it on a 40-minute joyride

Police quiz youngster after he takes vehicle from terminus and drives it 10km through Guangzhou

Police quiz youngster after he takes vehicle from terminus and drives it 10km through Guangzhou

A 12-year-old Chinese boy caused a stir last week when he stole a bus and drove it for 10km through the streets of Guangzhou, local media reported.

The joyride lasted about 40 minutes before the youngster, who was not named, was intercepted by police close to a local college, Southern Metropolis Daily reported via social media.

Video footage of the incident showed the youngster driving the bus away from a terminus in the Zengcheng district of Guangzhou, capital of southern China’s Guangdong province, about 2pm on Friday.

In the film, apparently shot by a member of the public from another vehicle, the child can be clearly seen at the wheel of the bus as it travels along a main road. Several other people witnessed his antics and contacted the authorities.

The report did not provide details of the route the boy took, but said he didn’t cause any accidents or traffic congestion. It added that he had been alone for the duration of the ride.

After being intercepted, the child was taken into custody for questioning.

In the video footage he can be seen walking into the police station with a cigarette in his hand. When quizzed by officers about the incident, he covers his face with his hands and refuses to answer.

The owner of the bus, Guangzhou Yueyun Bus Co, was quoted as saying that the boy had a previous record for theft, having been caught by police for stealing mobile phones and wallets on multiple occasions.

The company said it helped the authorities to find the boy by using the vehicle’s onboard GPS.