A nine-year-old-boy and an accomplice have been arrested for stealing a car in Bolikhamxay Province.
According to a report by Bolikhamxay Security News, a 9-year-old boy and his 12-year-old friend were picked up by police for car theft.
Authorities in Bolikhan District, Bolikhamxay Province, say a vehicle was reported stolen on Tuesday last week in Pha Mueng Village.
An investigation ensued, with the car found parked about two kilometers from the home of its registered owner.
![The boy and his friend who took a truck for a joyride](https://laotiantimes-com.laocdn.com/2021/02/9-year-old-car-thief-225x300.jpeg)
An eyewitness reported to police that two boys had abandoned the car there, before walking to Pha Mueng Village.
The 9-year-old boy said to police that they stole the car because they hoped to travel to Mork District, Xieng Khoung Province.
![The boy poses with the stolen truck](https://laotiantimes-com.laocdn.com/2021/02/The-boy-with-the-truck-1024x667.jpeg)
“I saw that the key was in the ignition so I decided to try to start the car. Then I drove it out onto the road but it stopped and so I left it,” the boy told police.
Authorities returned the car to its owner and let the boys off with a stern warning.