How a 12-year-old boy avoided capture as he tried to drive solo across Australia in family car

A 12-year-old boy who drove 1300 kilometres across NSW on his own in the family car managed to avoid being caught because he looks about “19 or 20” years old.

The boy was en route to Perth when he was pulled over at Broken Hill in far west NSW on Saturday morning when officers noticed the car’s bumper dragging on the ground.

He had earlier left his home in Kendall on the state’s north coast about 11.10am on Friday.

News.com.au reports the boy managed to fill up at the Cobar Caltex at 6am on Saturday morning.

“When I saw him, he looked like a nice person who was maybe 19 or 20,” said service station manager Vamshi Reddy.
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“When police told me he was 12 ... I was shocked.”

Detective Inspector Kim Fehon confirmed that “despite being 12 years old he is about six foot tall”.

Officers are still trying to figure out why the boy took the car and attempted to cross the country.

The car had suffered some damage, Det Insp Fehon confirmed on Monday.

"So it appears (the boy) did have an accident while driving," she said.

The boy was arrested and taken to Broken Hill police station before being released to his distressed parents.

The family are expected to arrive back on the state's mid north coast on Monday afternoon, with the boy to be questioned by local detectives there.

It is likely he will be charged under the Young Offenders Act over three offences including failing to pay for petrol and driving without a licence.

NSW Police say their inquiries are continuing.