A teenager has been charged with multiple offences after reportedly stealing a car and being caught on the A46.

The 14-year-old boy from Warwick - who cannot be named for legal reasons - is alleged to have stolen a Ford Focus during a burglary.

Traffic officers, armed response, CCTV, patrol officers and dog units were needed to help stop him.

The car was stopped with force on the A46 and the boy arrested on Thursday 1 January after he attempted to drive south on the northbound carriageway "into oncoming members of the public".

The chase came after Warwickshire Police received reports of multiple burglaries in Leamington Spa and Warwick, starting at around 5am.

The first report came from a shop – with the next three being reports of homes being targeted.

The boy has been charged with:

• Three burglaries of dwellings
• One burglary of a non-dwelling
• Theft of a motor vehicle
• Dangerous driving
• Driving without insurance
• Driving whilst disqualified (driving bans can be given to under 16s, with the ban formally coming into effect when they are old enough to hold a licence. When under 16, it serves as an aggravating factor should they drive.)

"He has been bailed with strict conditions and will appear before youth court in Coventry on Thursday, 8 January," a force statement said. 

advertisement

"Officers will be attending the relevant address over the next week to ensure bail conditions are being complied with."