Boy arrested for allegedly stealing car

SANDUSKY — Police arrested a 13-year-old boy for his alleged role in stealing a government car and crashing it into a building, which caused significant damage to a business. The boy faces numerous charges, broken down between felonies and misdemeanors: • Felonies — failure to comply, two counts of vandalism and theft • Misdemeanors — reckless operation and operator's license Sandusky police published a report, detailing this alleged incident, which occurred just after 8 a.m. Thursday. A city code enforcement division director saw the boy supposedly driving a code enforcement department vehicle and exiting the Erie County Office Building's parking garage in downtown Sandusky. The director said this person "was not a city employee and, therefore, was not allowed to possess or operate the vehicle," according to the report. A police officer saw the vehicle on Hayes Avenue (Ohio 4) near Filmore Street where a pursuit began. The vehicle pulled away from this officer "at a high rate of speed, continuing westbound on Seavers Way," the report read. Several officers in the area also activated their overhead lights and joined in on this chase in an attempt to stop this vehicle. "The driver of the vehicle lost control and struck the northern wall" of a local business, Hiser's Automatic Transmission Specialists, near Camp Street and Seavers Way. Officers noted how, "The vehicle completely entered the building and struck miscellaneous items inside the shop before coming to a halt." A business owner, standing about 10 feet from where the initial crash occurred, noted the building sustained severe damage, and the shop had to close, negatively impacting his business. While in the building, the boy "attempted to flee on foot but was taken into custody" by an officer without further incident. The boy began to cry, complaining of a right arm injury. Officers took the boy to Firelands Health's emergency room where he received treatment before being released back into police custody. Police took the boy to the Erie County Juvenile Justice Center. The report noted how this car "had to be taken out of service. This impaired the inspector who was assigned that car from being able to complete their inspections."