In a shocking incident that unfolded in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a 12-year-old boy took authorities on a wild hour-long chase while driving a stolen construction vehicle. The Ann Arbor Police Department reported that the boy had managed to gain access to the Construction Genie GTH-636 Telehandler, a massive vehicle equipped with a forklift and weighing up to 35,000 pounds, outside Forsyth Middle School. Astonishingly, the young perpetrator found the key hidden inside the cab, allowing him to start the vehicle.

The ordeal began when officers received a report of a juvenile attempting to steal the construction vehicle from Forsyth Middle School, located at 1564 Newport Road. Responding swiftly, officers arrived at the scene at around 6:45 p.m. on November 25. Upon spotting the stolen forklift, officers initiated a pursuit at approximately 6:48 p.m. The young driver, who was reportedly without any lights on, was traveling southbound on Brooks Street near Pearl Street.

Multiple officers joined the chase, their emergency lights and sirens blaring as they followed the 12-year-old's reckless trajectory. The pursuit reached speeds of 15 to 20 mph as the boy drove through the Georgetown Boulevard neighborhood. However, during the chase, the young driver collided with approximately ten parked vehicles, causing significant damage.

The pursuit escalated further as the boy made his way northbound on Nixon Road and crossed the M-14 bridge. At this point, the Ann Arbor police decided to terminate the pursuit at around 7:18 p.m., handing off the case to the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office. Deputies from the sheriff's office took over and followed the young driver until he finally came to a stop at approximately 7:53 p.m. in the area of M-14 and Gotfredson.

Despite the chaotic chase, no injuries were reported, which authorities considered fortunate given the dangerous circumstances. The Ann Arbor Police Department emphasized that it could have easily resulted in serious harm to both the juvenile and others involved. The incident remains an active and ongoing criminal investigation.

After the forklift came to a halt, officers were able to identify the driver as a 12-year-old boy from Ann Arbor. He was promptly taken into custody and later lodged at a juvenile detention center. Due to the suspect's minor status, his identity was not released to the public.

The shocking video footage of the pursuit, shared by the Ann Arbor Police Department, reveals the tense situation faced by both officers and the young driver. In the video, officers are heard urgently cautioning each other, "He's lowering the hooks - don't go in front of" the forklift, highlighting the potential dangers faced by law enforcement during the chase.

The incident has raised concerns about security measures surrounding construction vehicles and the importance of preventing access to these heavy-duty machines. Preliminary investigations indicate that the juvenile had gained access to the construction vehicle at Forsyth Middle School due to the vehicle being unlocked and the key being left inside the cab.

The Ann Arbor community is still reeling from the shocking events that unfolded on that Saturday evening. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with these types of vehicles and the importance of maintaining proper security protocols to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.