Boy allegedly steals bus in Tampines, goes on 5-hour 'joyride' in northeastern Singapore
He was eventually found and surrounded by police, with social-media accounts alleging damage on bus exterior
UPDATE: A&S Transit addresses public concerns and calls for gracious approach in guiding youth
SINGAPORE — A young boy had allegedly stolen a private bus and somehow managed to drive it around the northeastern part of Singapore for about five hours on Wednesday (12 April), covering about 100 kilometres before police found and stopped his "joyride".
Photos and information of the alleged "bus-jacking" were circulating on social media, with one of them showing the boy being surrounded by police officers.
Some social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook alleged that the boy had damaged the exterior of the bus and eventually abandoned it, having used about a quarter tank of diesel. He was said to have driven the bus around Tampines, Pasir Ris, Bedok and Punggol.
Police confirmed the incident, saying in a statement to Yahoo Southeast Asia, "On 12 April at 12.04pm, the Police were alerted to a case of theft of a motor vehicle along Tampines Avenue 10.
"A boy is assisting with investigations in relation to the case. Police investigations are ongoing."
Tried starting other buses on the same night
The boy, whose age is still unknown, had allegedly tried his luck at starting other buses earlier on the same night. He was eventually successful in starting a bus belonging to private bus charter company A&S Transit.
An Instagram post stated that the boy reportedly came in with a white chair and bicycle and trespassed onto two buses under A&S Transit parked at Tampines Avenue 9, where he stole one of the bus and attempted to drive it away.
Some eyewitnesses informed the company and the police were also alerted.
Private bus charter company responds to stolen bus incident
In a statement posted on Facebook on Thursday (13 April), the private bus charter company A&S Transit said that it was not their intention for the matter to become public.
"The issue involves a minor and we do not wish for any undue disruption on the person, taking into consideration that it is approaching the school examinations period," the statement said.
"A&S hopes for all of us to take a gracious and forgiving approach in guiding our youths and supporting them in the pursuit of their passion."
The company also called on the public, government and organisations to see this incident as a call to hear the growing enthusiasm among the younger generation, and to support them with more outlets and opportunities to pursue their interests.
"While we do not condone the action of the minor, we hope to support the person and any youth in guiding them to express their passion in healthy ways," A&S Transit's statement said.
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