Police: Girl, 14, Boy, 12, Find Elderly Woman's Keys, Take Car For Joyride
BUTLER (KDKA) - Two teenagers were charged for allegedly driving a stolen vehicle, even though they were both too young to have a driver's license.
Butler City Police pulled over the car just before midnight on Saturday. Police say a 14-year-old female was driving the car, and a 12-year-old male was in the passenger's seat.
Officers say the teens were going the wrong way down a one-way street in Butler. The car's headlights were also off.
"I witnessed a car going in the wrong direction with the lights out," said Wendy Dight, a witness.
Police say the teens stole a 20-year-old Dodge Intrepid. The owner calls her "Stella," but she didn't even realize her car was missing until police contacted her.
"The police called and said, 'Do you know where your car is at?' I said, 'Yeah, it's outside. I looked out the window and it was gone, no car," said Virginia Martin, the car's owner.
Martin says police called about an hour after she went outside to get her cell phone, which she had left in the car.
But without knowing it, she dropped the keys to "Stella" on the ground, and apparently the kids picked them up and took off.
KDKA's Brenda Waters: "What would you say to these kids?
Martin: "I would have to forgive them. I was a kid once. It was wrong, but I'm just glad they didn't get hurt."
The teens were not injured and "Stella" was not damage.
Police say the girl only drove about three blocks. The kids were not detained, but they were charged through juvenile court.
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