Boy Takes $74,000 of Parents’ Cash to Resort : Runaway Teen Out $21,000 in Weekend

A 15-year-old boy with a bad report card was back in his Pittsburgh home today after a weekend spree at this beach resort with $74,000 of his parents’ money.

State police said the boy left home last Tuesday and still had $53,000 when they picked him up Saturday evening at a go-cart track.

Police said two of the boy’s new-found friends had stolen as much as $12,000 from him.

“What can I tell you?” said State Police Cpl. Harry Edwards. “They were just a couple of wild and crazy guys.”

Police said the youth ran away from his Pittsburgh home last Tuesday after he got a bad report card. They said he put a cardboard box containing $74,000 in his suitcase on his way out of the house.

The father is a businessman who often keeps large amounts of cash at home, Edwards said.

Authorities said the boy took a bus to Ocean City and checked into a boardwalk hotel, rented a stretch limousine and took some new friends on a spending spree that included buying jewelry, beachwear and meals at pizza restaurants.

The spree ended when the youth’s parents learned of his whereabouts and contacted Maryland state police.

Police said Eric Faulkner, 20, of Ocean City was arrested with the youth and is charged with stealing $2,500 from him. Police are seeking another suspect.