GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A 10-year-old Florida boy and his 11-year-old sister who were running away to California drove 200 miles (320 kilometers) in their mother's car before they were stopped by sheriff's deputies on an interstate highway, authorities said.
The Alachua County Sheriff's Office says deputies spotted the sedan on Interstate 75 near Gainesville in north Florida just before 4 a.m. Thursday.
The children's mother had reported it stolen and her children missing four hours earlier in North Port, a city in southwest Florida.
The deputies, thinking that they were dealing with car thieves, drew their guns and ordered those inside the car to step out.
Political Cartoons View All 1176 ImagesThe mother declined to press charges and the children were released to her.
Persons:
sheriff's
Organizations:
Alachua County Sheriff's
Locations:
GAINESVILLE, Fla, Florida, California, Alachua County, Gainesville, North Port