A 12-year-old Kendall boy who took the family car and drove more than 1300km across the state will not be charged.
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Mid North Coast Local Area Command’s Inspector Kim Fehon said the child is now back in the care of family and has been referred to support services.
The boy left Kendall last Friday at about 11am and travelled along the Pacific Highway before joining the Golden Highway. He made it almost one third of the way across the country in the car before being stopped by police in Broken Hill.
The boy was pulled over on Saturday, April 22 after completing more than 1300 kilometres of his journey.
Inspector Fehon confirmed he was intending to return to relatives in Perth, more than 4000km from his Kendall home.
The boy, reportedly tall and more mature looking than his age, stopped briefly at a Caltex Service Station in Cobar, re-fuelled and left without paying.
He was stopped by Highway Patrol officers at about 11am when they noticed his car's bumper was dragging along the ground.
Officers from Broken Hill Highway Patrol stopped the car on the Barrier Highway due to defects which made the vehicle hazardous.
The boy was arrested and taken to Broken Hill police station for questioning.
He has been issued a caution for the illegal use of a conveyance, failing to pay for petrol and unlicensed driving.
Insp Fehon said the boy fortunately did not sustain any injuries on his journey and police and his family were relieved he was found safe and well.