Zalma boy won't face car-theft charges

Owners of a car allegedly stolen by a 12-year-old boy and driven more than 40 miles from Zalma, Mo. to Cape Girardeau will not press charges, the Banner-Press newspaper reported Thursday.

Brent Jones was the subject of an intense search Tuesday night that included at least one helicopter unit, as well as searchers on ATVs and horses. He was found unharmed the next morning at the Walmart store in Cape Girardeau.

Darrin Hickey, a spokesman for the Cape Girardeau Police Department, said the owners of the vehicle knew the suspect and would not press charges.

He would not say how the car owners knew the boy.

Hickey said it will be up to the juvenile authorities to determine if Brent will face charges regarding his alleged theft of the vehicle or his running away from home, or if he will be released to his parents.

Juvenile cases are closed to the public.

Pertinent address:

Zalma, Mo.