HAWKEYE, Iowa – A 12-year-old boy is facing a list of charges after police say he stole six vehicles as he tried to flee a foster home.
The boy, whose name wasn't released, stole the vehicles during a four-hour span in the town of Hawkeye early Tuesday, police said.
Officials say the vehicles apparently still had the keys in the ignition.
A handgun stolen from another vehicle was also recovered.
The seats in each of the stolen vehicles were pulled forward, next to the steering wheel. Each of the vehicles was found in ditches or smashed into streets signs just outside of town.
The boy was found walking down a gravel road. He told deputies he was running away from a foster home and didn't want to go to another one.
He was charged with six counts of operating a motor vehicle without owners' consent, six counts of driving without a license, burglary and other driving violations.
The boy was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries and then to a youth shelter in Waterloo, police said.
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