Police stop under-15 driver after two car thefts in Jämsänkoski

A child under 15 is suspected of stealing two cars and fleeing police at high speed in Jämsänkoski, Yle reports. Police stopped the car at an intersection by blocking its path.

The child allegedly drove one of the cars at a considerable speed, partly on paths used by pedestrians and cyclists. Many young people were in central Jämsänkoski at the time, late on Sunday evening, police said.

Police said the stop took place at low speed. The suspected stolen car was damaged, as was the front of the police car. The child then tried to flee on foot but stopped when ordered to do so.

The child’s breath test result was above the legal drink-driving limit, according to police. The child is suspected of two counts of unauthorised use of a motor vehicle, aggravated endangerment of traffic safety, driving without a licence, drink-driving and violent resistance to a public official.

Police said they will notify child welfare services and the child’s guardians. The investigation is continuing, including through interviews, and police said they would not provide further details for now.