Boy, 16, Arrested After Leading Police on Chase in Stolen Public Transit Bus

A 16-year-old boy wearing an ROTC uniform stole a public transit bus and led police on an hourlong chase on downtown streets and two freeways before surrendering Monday, authorities said.

The boy, a regular rider on the bus, told the driver that he was going to take it to Los Angeles, but the driver thought the boy was joking, police spokeswoman Cheryl Meyers said.

The driver stopped at the College Grove Shopping Center to check his odometer, which was at the rear right wheel, and log his morning mileage, Meyers said.

With the engine running, the boy, the sole passenger, got into the driver’s seat and drove away, she said.

After the driver reported the theft, police started following the boy as he wove the bus in and out of traffic, usually stopping at lights and stop signs.

Officers laid strips of metal spikes at an intersection and waited for the bus, but the youth stopped before he hit the spikes. Officers drew their guns and ordered him to surrender.

Once handcuffed, he began crying, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

The boy recently transferred to Morris High School as a freshman and a special education student, school officials said.

He was arrested by juvenile authorities on suspicion of vehicle theft, hit and run and failure to stop.