14-year-old stole car, escaped juvenile detention camp

WALKER COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — A 14-year-old is once again in custody Wednesday night after he escaped a juvenile detention camp and led law enforcement in a car chase.

Walker County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) said the teenager escaped the George J. Mitnick Juvenile Camp by stealing a means.

Police said WCSO Captain Ralph Williams observed the boy driving the stolen means on Highway 118 in the Oakman area.

“The juvenile led Captain Williams on a means pursuit that went several miles into Fayette County,” police wrote in a social media post.

Fayette County law enforcement ultimately used spike strips to stop the boy, “flattening all four tires on the means.”

The George J. Mitnick Juvenile Camp is a “boot camp wilderness program designed to divert 12 to 17-year-old boys with delinquent offenses from serving time with the Alabama Department of Youth sets,” according to the post.