Philly police file charges against child driver

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A 10-year-old Philadelphia boy has been charged with criminal mischief and other counts after swiping a van, then crashing it into five parked cars, authorities said Monday.

Authorities said the boy made it less than a block after stealing a van that was unloading furniture early Sunday afternoon in West Philadelphia. He grabbed the keys from the rear door and jumped in the driver’s seat. The brief joyride ended when the van crashed into the rear of a fifth parked car.

Devante Gray was working in the West Phillie Produce store on 62nd Street when he heard a bang outside on the street.

He said he went outside and saw several neighbors surrounding the boy, all of them asking if the child was OK.

“At first, I had thought he had gotten hit” by a car, Gray told The Associated Press on Monday.

Gray said he was shocked to find out that the boy had actually been driving the van.

The boy’s name wasn’t released.

A police spokeswoman said he is charged with juvenile counts of criminal mischief, receiving stolen property and unauthorized use of an automobile.