Story Archive

Goody Two-Thefts

When East Greenbush, N.Y., police signaled the driver of a stolen car to pull over, the driver sank out of sight. Afraid he was reaching for a gun, the officers called in backup and surrounded the vehicle — only to discover that the driver, a 54 in. tall fifth grader, had simply slumped in his seat. He was not armed. “They were acting with extreme caution,” said the local police chief, Christopher Lavin. “They had no idea a kid was driving.” They also had no idea that 11-year-old was in for his second felony arrest in as many months. Fifteen days earlier, he’d been arrested in connection with a burglary. According to shopkeeper Brian Shea, the boy had spent two weeks developing a rapport with him — and then one day stealthily unlocked the windows of his store so that he could come back after closing and loot the place. The boy faces juvenile charges. Lavin said he was a “very good boy” while in custody, citing his obedience to his mother when she arrived. (AC/Albany Times Union) ...If obeying his mother makes him a “good boy,” what if his mother is the mastermind?