Daytona police chief: 10-year-old car theft suspect 'can be saved'

DAYTONA BEACH — Police Chief Craig Capri said the 10-year-old boy who has been linked to four grand theft auto cases still has a chance to improve his life once he gets out of juvenile detention next month.

"He's been getting involved with the wrong people and his life is starting to spiral out of control," Capri said.

"His mom is asking for help," he continued. "She can't control the kid. She's asking for help so we're going to try and help her out."

Capri wasn't specific about what police will do to convince the 10-year-old from committing future crimes. The suspect has been linked to as many as four car thefts and at least one break-in.

The boy's latest arrest came Wednesday after he was found in a stolen car, this time as a passenger, police said. He was arrested the morning after he had cut off the electric monitoring device that was strapped to his ankle, according to a report.

The News-Journal is not publishing the boy's name because of his age.

Police said the ankle monitor was assigned to the boy at noon Tuesday, after his most recent grand theft auto arrest. Four hours later, he had cut it off and left his home, violating a court order, the report stated.

Detectives said the boy was picked up early Wednesday morning in a stolen vehicle with some other juveniles.

The boy's mother was contacted by a News-Journal reporter on Friday, but she declined comment.

On Monday, police responded to Daytona Direct Auto, 815 Mason Ave., following reports of an overnight burglary. In all, seven vehicles had been stolen and an additional six sets of keys also were stolen from the business. One of the stolen cars was driven off the property by the 10-year-old boy, detectives said.

It was after that arrest that he was fitted for an ankle monitor.

Other juveniles also stole property from Daytona Direct Auto and some looked to be about the same age as the 10-year-old suspect, but they have not yet been identified, detectives said. Among the vehicles stolen were a 2006 Mazda Miata, a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee and a 2001 Lincoln Navigator, according to a report.

The boy's first arrest took place about six weeks ago when he stole a car and parked it outside the Target on West International Speedway Boulevard, according to police. He was still on the premises and that's how police arrested him.

The car seat had been moved as close to the steering wheel as it could go, detectives said.

On July 13, the 10-year-old suspect also was arrested in connection to a car break-in at an apartment complex on Carl Brinkley Circle. Video surveillance showed the boy, along with an accomplice, enter the car, rummage through a purse that was left inside, steal some loose cash and flee the area, according to police. The purse also was thrown over a fence.

"I think this kid can be saved," Capri said. "He has a chance to change."