Dashcam video: 8-year-old takes mom’s SUV for a Target run


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An 8-year-old Ohio girl took her mother’s SUV for a Target run, police said, and part of her journey was caught on camera. Dashcam video from another vehicle recorded part of the child’s trip as the concerned driver called authorities about the erratic SUV.

Police said the girl was reported missing from her family’s home around 9 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 15. Ring video from a neighbor later provided to investigators showed the girl getting into the SUV alone and driving off earlier that morning.

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As police investigated, they were soon alerted about a small child driving the Nissan Rogue on a roadway. The 911 caller told The New York Times he tried to take a look at who was behind the wheel of the SUV but “could barely see the driver.”

Authorities set out to search for the vehicle. It was eventually spotted at a parking lot of a Target.

Officers located the girl inside the store and reunited the child with her family. Police joked about the impromptu joyride and Target run on Facebook, posting:

“Not sure what she bought, or if she was even able to use her Target app to save 5%. We did let her finish her Frappuccino. We’re not mean.”

Police said no one is facing any charges. Remarkably, no injuries were reported during the girl’s shopping expedition. Though she did admit to police she struck a mailbox along the way.

Brock Koller (Senior Producer) and Jake Maslo (Video Editor ) contributed to this report.
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