13-year-old driver faces vehicle theft charges

A 13-year-old living in Huber Heights must confront criminal charges in Indiana after he allegedly stole a Sport Utility Vehicle from a foster parent in an effort to return to his native Cincinnati.

Wayne County Sheriff Jeff Cappa said the teenager was found early Monday morning parked off a westbound lane on Interstate 70 near Cambridge City. An officer on routine patrol stopped to check on the vehicle, a silver 1999 Dodge Durango. It was found to belong to the teen’s foster parent.

The runaway juvenile was lost trying to return to Cincinnati, Cappa said. He is now facing criminal charges of possession of a stolen vehicle and vehicle theft.

The teen was placed into foster care about three weeks ago, according to Cappa.

Although there is a possibility the teen could be tried as an adult, Cappa said it’s unlikely.

“I’ve seen other instances like this,” he said. “The main thing is that he or someone else didn’t get hurt.”

Huber Heights police made contact with the foster parent Monday morning. It was determined the Durango was taken around 3 a.m., according to Officer Brandon Sucher of the Huber Heights police.

Cappa said there “really wasn’t a reason cited as to why he wanted to leave his foster parents.” Officers contacted Wayne County’s probation department and arrangements were made to take the teen to a juvenile detention center in Muncie, according to Cappa

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6983 or andrew.sedlak@coxohio.com.