ANN ARBOR, Mich. - A 12-year-old boy caused a stir in Ann Arbor on Saturday evening, after he stole a forklift from Forsythe Middle School and led authorities on a chase through the city. The daring incident unfolded around 6:45 p.m., when police received reports of a juvenile attempting to steal a construction vehicle.

Officers from the Ann Arbor Police Department quickly responded to the scene and spotted the stolen forklift driving without lights southbound on Brooks near Pearl. In an unconventional chase that followed, the 12-year-old driver maneuvered the heavy machinery at a speed of 15-20 mph.

Authorities reported that the young boy, who remains unidentified, drove the forklift through the Georgetown Boulevard neighborhood, causing damage to approximately 10 parked vehicles along the way. The pursuit escalated further after Ann Arbor police ended their chase when the boy crossed the M-14 bridge while driving on Nixon around 7:18 p.m.

Fortunately, Washtenaw County Sheriff's deputies took over the pursuit, tracking the stolen forklift until the young driver finally came to a stop on M-14 near Gotfredson at approximately 7:53 p.m. The 12-year-old was swiftly taken into custody without any further incident.

According to authorities, the stolen vehicle was a Genie GTH-636 Telehandler, which had been left unlocked at Forsythe Middle School, with the key hidden inside. Seizing the opportunity, the daring young boy managed to start the vehicle and embark on his reckless joyride through the city streets.

No injuries were reported during the pursuit, however, the string of damaged parked vehicles left a trail of destruction in its wake. It remains uncertain what motivated the 12-year-old to steal the forklift and embark on such a dangerous escapade.

Investigations are underway to determine the exact sequence of events and potential charges that the young suspect may face. Meanwhile, local residents are left stunned by the audacity of the incident and thankful that no one was hurt.

As authorities reflect on the bizarre incident, questions arise regarding the need for increased security measures and better supervision of potentially dangerous machinery. The stolen forklift incident serves as another reminder for all to remain vigilant and take appropriate precautions to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.