Teen Crashes Stolen Front End Loader Into Car Dealership, Police Say
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Police took a 15-year-old into custody after he allegedly stole a front-end loader and took it on a destructive joyride.
Hopkins police said they responded to a car dealership just before 5 a.m. Monday after a burglar alarm was tripped.
When they got there, they saw that the front of the building had been significantly damaged by the equipment.
Officers said they found a 15-year-old boy inside Metro Motor Cars, where he appeared to be hiding but then attempted to run when police arrived.
"He didn't resist or anything like that," Hopkins Police Sgt. Michael Glassberg said. "Your first thought is, 'Ok, now we've got the suspect, but where did this front-end loader come from?"
Investigators say the front end loader had been stolen near Kellogg Avenue in St. Paul, nearly 30 miles away, and that the boy had been driving it around for hours before getting to Hopkins, according to GPS tracking data gathered by police.
"We believe he was looking for the keys to a regular automobile," Glassberg said. "We are just glad no one got hurt. You're operating a piece of heavy equipment, and it could have had tragic consequences had he hit someone else."
Investigators are trying to figure out why the teen decided to drive to Hopkins. The recycling business was able to get the front-end loader back with no damage.
Police took the boy into custody, and he's currently awaiting charges.