IWATE (TR) — Police here have arrested a 16-year-old male high school student on suspicion of stealing an official government vehicle and driving it across prefectural lines, reports TBS News (May 11).
The teen, a resident of Hirakawa City in neighboring Aomori Prefecture, is accused of stealing a compact car owned by the Iwate Prefectural Government from the parking lot of a public facility in Morioka City.
The theft allegedly took place between 10:00 p.m. on May 10 and 5:00 a.m. the next day. The vehicle is valued at approximately 980,000 yen.
Local authorities received a report regarding the stolen vehicle on the morning of May 11. Police later tracked down and recovered the car in Aomori Prefecture.
Investigators believe the boy boldly got behind the wheel and drove the stolen car himself, traveling from Iwate all the way back to his home prefecture.
Upon his arrest, the suspect admitted to the allegations, police said.
Authorities believe the teenager acted alone and are currently expanding their investigation to include additional charges of driving without a license.
