Child steals minivan, leads police on reckless pursuit

HENRIETTA, N.Y. (WHEC) — Deputies say they caught a child behind the wheel of a stolen minivan Saturday night.

Around 8:00 p.m. a broadcast went out over the police radio for the report of a reckless driver.

The dispatcher relayed information that a child was driving a van East on Jefferson Road near Jefferson Plaza, in the Town of Henrietta. A Monroe County Sheriff’s deputy observed the minivan rear-end a stopped vehicle at a red light.

Deputies say a child was behind the wheel and continued through the intersection, almost striking several vehicles. The deputy then attempted to pull the vehicle over, but the driver refused to stop.

The vehicle continued driving recklessly through Henrietta and into the city of Rochester The minivan finally stopped after striking multiple vehicles, including a patrol vehicle on Mt. Hope at Robinson Drive.

The driver was identified as a juvenile and the only occupant of the vehicle. AMR transported the child to a local hospital for precautionary measures. No one else was injured.

It was determined the minivan was stolen from Crestwood Child Center. The juvenile was issued an appearance ticket for Grand Larceny 4th.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the incident.