Police say an 11-year-old Marion boy who stole a fire department pickup truck and went on a joyride has been released to a guardian.

Police spotted the child on Martin Luther King Boulevard and that's where the 10 minute chase began.

Neighbors couldn't believe an 11-year-old was behind the wheel.

"He was real short. It looked like he was hanging on to the steering wheel or something," said Reginald Figuero, who saw the chase.

"I just saw where the little boy driving the truck. It came down the street about three times. I seen a lot of police and stuff was behind him," said Jamie Grice, another witness to the chase.

Scores of officers trailed the boy and did all they could to stop him, without endangering his life or the lives of anyone in his path.

Officers say the 11-year-old ran several stop signs and led officers across town to Dunlop Street, where he hit a light pole. The boy put the truck in reverse and took off again.

He then circled around East Fairlee Street where he lives.

Officers say he drove about 45 miles per hour during the entire chase. He finally came to a stop when he saw a familiar face.

"His mama ran in front of the truck and saying the son to stop, stop. She was crying and he stopped then," said Grice.

Neighbors say the boy was also crying when he got out of the truck and apologized to police.

Officers say they never thought a 4 foot tall, 105 pound, 11-year-old would led them on a chase.

We're told the boy had on his school uniform when he was arrested.

He's charged with grand theft auto and faces a hearing in family court this week.