Newton Aycliffe taxi theft: Boy charged
A 14-year-old boy has been charged with stealing a taxi with an elderly female passenger still inside.
The vehicle was taken from outside the Tesco Extra supermarket in Newton Aycliffe on Wednesday.
It then collided with more than a dozen other cars, causing what police called "extensive damage".
The boy has been charged with aggravated vehicle taking without consent, dangerous driving and having no insurance and licence.
A spokesperson for Durham Police said the passenger was "a bit shocked but unhurt".
A spokesman for Star Cabs said while the woman's husband was returning the shopping trolley the driver got out of her car to close the boot.
He said: "The next thing she knows, the car disappears down Tesco's car park, it's bumped two cars first, and then about eight others, I don't know how many."
He said the passenger had managed to get out of the car after the first collision.
The boy has been bailed to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court.