A 10-year-old Minnesota boy was arrested after he recklessly drove a stolen car near a playground where children were playing

A 10-year-old boy was arrested in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after he allegedly stole a car and drove recklessly near a school playground, where he nearly hit other children playing.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said Friday that the incident occurred on Sept. 20 in the playground outside Nellie Stone Johnson School, according to Fox 9.

Surveillance footage shows the boy driving the stolen vehicle back and forth behind the playground before driving onto the sidewalk just meters from the playground as children were nearby.

O'Hara said no children were struck by the vehicle.

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O'Hara said the 10-year-old was identified as the driver Thursday. He was arrested and booked into the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center on probable cause of second-degree assault.

The Hennepin County District Attorney's Office said in a news release Friday that it has filed charges in the case, Fox 9 reported. O'Hara said the boy was charged with reckless driving and theft of property.

The law firm also stated that a person cannot be prosecuted if they are unable to assist their lawyers in defending themselves or if they cannot understand the court proceedings.

A court-appointed psychologist determines whether a person is competent and presents his or her opinion to the judge, who makes the final decision. If a child is found to be incompetent, the child will be removed from custody and the case will either be dismissed or stayed.

Surveillance footage shows the boy driving the stolen vehicle back and forth behind the playground before driving onto the sidewalk. (Fox 9)

“We are facing an urgent crisis in our community related to a small group of children who are unable to navigate the juvenile justice system but cannot be safe at home,” the law firm said in a statement. “We are actively engaging with law enforcement, county and state partners on the urgent need for safe and appropriate out-of-home placements for children with these complex needs who require specialized care. We cannot charge or prosecute our way out of this crisis.”

“What we need is clear: residential placements with varying levels of security in our community that have the resources and staff to accommodate and successfully treat our youth with complex needs,” the statement continued. “And we need urgent and immediate action to address this issue now.”

The boy also allegedly stole cars in the past and has been arrested in at least two other car theft-related incidents, O'Hara said. He is also listed as a suspect in more than a dozen other cases, including auto theft, assault with a dangerous weapon and robbery.

The child's criminal record dates back to May 2023. He has about 30 previous convictions, most of which are outlier incidents. The boy's family is cooperating with law enforcement and has asked for help “to prevent their son or anyone else from being injured or killed,” police said in a news release, according to Fox 9.

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According to police, no children were struck by the vehicle. (Fox 9)

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Charges were filed Friday in a separate incident than in August, O'Hara said. In that case, the boy and other minors approached a victim with a knife in hand and threatened her with the words “I will disembowel you” while attempting to steal her car.

The boy was charged with threats of violence and attempted carjacking in this case, O'Hara said.

“It is unimaginable that a 10-year-old boy would have experienced this level of criminal activity without effective intervention,” O'Hara said. “Prison is not an acceptable option for a 10-year-old boy. But the adults who can stop this behavior in the future must act now. This is just one example of the revolving door we are dealing with – arresting and re-arresting the same youth for car theft and other violent crimes. This is a complex problem and we must immediately bring together all agencies involved in the intervention to find short and long-term solutions.