Boy, 10, Charged For Nearly Crashing Stolen Car Into MPLS Playground

MINNEAPOLIS — Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has filed charges against a 10-year-old accused of stealing a car and nearly crashing into people at a Minneapolis playground.

The incident happened on Sept. 20 at Nellie Stone Johnson School in north Minneapolis. No injuries were reported.

The boy was booked into the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center last week for probable cause second-degree assault.

“It is important to note that in all cases, a person, including a child, cannot be prosecuted if they are not capable of understanding the legal proceedings or assisting their lawyer in the defense," Moriarty said in a statement.

"A court-appointed psychologist makes a recommendation on competency to a judge who ultimately makes the decision. If a child is found not competent by the court, the case against them must be dismissed or suspended, and the child must be released from custody."

No more details about the case will be released because it involves a minor.

Moriarty added that: “We are facing an urgent crisis in our community related to a small group of children who are not competent to stand trial in the juvenile justice system, but who cannot safely be at home. We are actively engaged with law enforcement, as well as county and state partners, about the critical need for safe and appropriate out-of-home placements for children with these complex needs who require specialized care. We cannot charge or prosecute our way out of this crisis."

The boy drove the stolen car across the grass and sidewalk between the school and playground. Surveillance footage showed school staff frantically working to move children out of harm's way.

The 10-year-old’s family is cooperative with police and has asked for help to keep their son or anyone else from being injured or killed, according to police.

The 10-year-old boy has an extensive police record, with at least 30 entries dating back to May 2023, according to police.

He has been arrested at least twice before for auto theft-related crimes, and is listed as a suspect in more than 12 cases that range from auto theft to robbery to assault with a dangerous weapon, police said.

The remaining entries are mostly related to runaway type cases, according to police.