A 12-year-old boy who took the family car and drove more than 1300 kilometres across NSW will not be charged.
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Mid North Coast Local Area Command's Detective Inspector Kim Fehon said the child was now back in the care of his family and has been referred to support services.
The boy left Kendall, near Port Macquarie, about 11am last Friday and travelled along the Pacific Highway before joining the Golden Highway.
He made it almost one-third of the way across the country before being stopped by police in Broken Hill in far western NSW.
The boy was pulled over about 11am on Saturday after completing more than 1300 kilometres of his journey.
Detective Inspector Fehon said he was intending to return to relatives in Perth, more than 4000 kilometres from his Kendall home.
The boy, reportedly tall and more mature looking than his age, stopped briefly at a Caltex service station in Cobar, refuelled and left without paying.
He was stopped by officers from Broken Hill Highway Patrol when they noticed the car's bumper was dragging along the ground.
The boy was arrested and taken to Broken Hill police station for questioning.
He has been issued a caution for the illegal use of a conveyance, failing to pay for petrol and unlicensed driving.
Detective Inspector Fehon said the boy fortunately did not sustain any injuries on his journey and police and his family were relieved he was found safe and well.
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