CANBERRA, Australia (WBZ NewsRadio) — Four children packed a family SUV with fishing gear and took off on a 600-mile joy ride, according to Australian authorities.
Between the ages of 10 and 14, the kids left their parents a farewell note before heading down the eastern coast of Australia. The were eventually stopped by police the following day after two fuel thefts and an aborted pursuit, authorities said.
The children were stopped in Grafton Sunday night, but locked the doors and refused to get out, acting police inspector Darren Williams said. An officer used a baton to break the window and retrieve the children.
Police were not immediately sure who drove, but they suspect the minors shared duties. "It's a long way, in excess of 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) from Rockhampton down to Grafton," Williams told reporters. "I couldn't imagine one person actually driving all that way in two days."
The joyride caught the attention of authorities after the children failed to pay for gas at a station in Queensland and another in New South Wales.
In addition, the 13-year-old led authorities on a short car chase in New South Wales.
"There was a short pursuit up there with the Highway Patrol and due to the age of the driver and the road conditions, that was terminated by the Highway Patrol officers," Williams said.
Williams added he did not know if the children were related, or how they knew each other.
Queensland drivers must be at least 17-years-old to apply for a license.
The children are set to be charged and questioned when a parent or guardian is present.
(Photo: Getty Images)