GTA ...

July 21, 2006

Boy, 5, takes off in granny's SUV

After squabble, child grabs keys and flees in Cadillac Escalade

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

BY AMALIE NASH

News Staff Reporter

An off-duty sheriff's deputy and other motorists were in for a surprise when they saw a 5-year-old boy behind the wheel of his grandma's Cadillac Escalade in Ypsilanti Township.

With the stereo blaring, the boy named Larry apparently was able to start the vehicle, then drive it several blocks while standing to see over the steering wheel, said Washtenaw County Sheriff's Cmdr. Dave Egeler.

The child was not injured during the incident last Wednesday, and the SUV was stopped before any damage occurred.

The joyride started after the boy and his grandmother, who is his custodial guardian, got into an argument at their residence in Cliff's Landing, Egeler said. The boy grabbed the car keys and was told to drop them, but he made off with the keys after the grandmother became distracted by her infant granddaughter, Egeler said.

The boy hopped into the 2004 Escalade and started it up, driving out onto Grove Road.

"It's a tight drive getting out of there, but he apparently had no problems,'' Egeler said.

Soon, police received a 911 call from a motorist who said her vehicle was nearly struck by an SUV that appeared to be driven by a child. Deputy Chuck Fuller, who was off-duty, also noticed the 5-year-old behind the wheel of the SUV, Egeler said.

By the time Fuller turned around, the SUV was stopped, and he safely pulled the child from the driver's seat, Egeler said. The unharmed boy had turned the stereo up as he drove, Egeler said.

The boy told sheriff's deputies he was "looking for his mommy,'' police reports said. He is not expected to face any charges.

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From the Ann Arbor News

http://www.mlive.com/news/aanews/index.ssf...7770.xml&coll=2