Bangor Police: 12-Year-Old Boy Steals School Bus, Goes On Joy Ride
/ CBS Boston
BANGOR, Maine (CBS) – A 12-year-old boy's school bus joy ride came to an end when a man jumped on board and took control, police in Maine say.
"The issue that we see here is that a 12 year old is DRIVING the bus. Yes, he stole it," Bangor police said in a Facebook post Thursday.
When you are 12 years old, there is no better way to get around than climbing on a bus and just relaxing. Just letting the guy in the front take you where you need to go.
The issue that we see here is that a 12 year old is DRIVING the bus. Yes, he stole it.
Now, he would not win one of those school bus rodeos nor would he get cookies and cakes from adoring parents at the end of the year for how he conducted himself with all that precious cargo in the back. But, as a "glass half full" kind of guy, I say he did not do that badly. Sure, they might have to replace a mirror or get those sidewalls checked, but not half bad for the first time driving a bus. If...this is his first time driving a bus.
The good news or as they say in stupid seminars all over the country that I have been forced to sit through: "The Takeaway here"... is that John W. St. Germain III and his girlfriend observed this young man driving a bus and thought, "hey that kid is way too young to be driving a bus." Common sense runs deep in a good Mainer. These two, followed the bus and called the police department. She gave a great description and we were on the way. The description was, big blue bus with a kid driving. We knew exactly what to look for.
End of story? Nope. While John's lady friend was on the phone and driving, John waited until the school bus...(party of one) stopped at the intersection of Griffin and Ohio Streets. John bailed out of the car and ran up to the door of the bus and Ralph Kramden'd his way into the seat. "And awwwaaaay we gooooooo!" Those of you who do not know who Ralph Kramden was should just Google it. I am not answering questions about, The Great One.
John ran up to the swinging bus doors and took control of the, "blue, rolling missile of destruction." The young man was taken into custody and John continued on his day. He probably saved much property damage and even injury or death to an innocent driver or the (not so innocent) driver of the bus.
People like John roll through this city every day. Unassuming yet willing to help at the risk of injury to himself. Thank you, John W. St. Germain III.
Now I am placing a photo of John, in the comments section just below this post. He is receiving his Bangor Police Department Challenge coin from Officer Vidaurri. The photo was taken yesterday.
Yes. In a world where they let the Kardashians have access to social media, we are unable to add a still photograph to a Facebook post that includes video. I am using all the power that is mine to make sure you get a glimpse of the hero.
The sound was removed from most of the video. As you know, when the excitement breaks out, sometimes the language filter is a barrier that is broken first. It is rather funny but this is a family page and John requested that we leave some things out. I will say that he sounded like Seth Rogan throughout most of the play by play.
We urge everyone to keep their hands to themselves, leave other people's things alone and be kind to one another. We will be here!
A video shared by police shows a man and woman following a blue bus that's swerving all over the road and at times driving onto the sidewalk. They can be heard telling authorities "there's a little kid driving a school bus."
Before the 12-year-old bus driver could hurt himself or anyone else, police say a man named John St. Germain III managed to board the bus and end the joy ride. St. Germain was commended by police for his actions.
John St. Germain III (left) is recognized by police (Image credit Bangor police)
"He probably saved much property damage and even injury or death to an innocent driver or the (not so innocent) driver of the bus," police said.
The 12-year-old boy was taken into custody. Police have not said how he got behind the wheel of the bus.
