05/14/2009

Associated Press

Police are calling a fifth-grade boy not even old enough to drive a repeat offender for van thefts.

Desloge (duh LOHZH') police say the student ran away from school Monday and stole a van, as he did two years ago. They found the van pulling into a driveway near St. Francois Memorial Park in eastern Missouri.

North County Assistant Superintendent Mike Jarvis said he was grateful the boy didn't hurt himself or others. He said the boy will be disciplined.

Police said the boy left school and stole a Dodge Caravan in August 2007. When police tried to stop the boy, he crashed the van into a building as he tried to get away. The student was not hurt and was turned over to juvenile authorities.

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Information from: Daily Journal, http://dailyjournalonline.com