Bangor police say a 12-year-old boy who stole a school bus has been charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and driving without a license.

Sgt. Tim Cotton posted a lengthy press release and video of the boy’s short-lived joyride on the Bangor Police Department’s Facebook page. Police said Tuesday’s bus ride lasted no more than a half-mile.

A motorist, John W. St. Germain III, and his girlfriend followed the blue bus and captured the boy’s erratic driving on their phone camera. They followed the bus, and when it stopped, Germain jumped out of his car.

“John ran up to the swinging bus doors and took control of the blue, rolling missile of destruction,” Cotton said in the release. “The young man was taken into custody and John continued on his way. He probably saved much property damage and even injury or death to an innocent driver.”

The bus was stolen from a bus depot in Bangor that is operated by Cyr Bus Lines. Bangor police do not know how the boy started the bus.

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