Officer Mark Ehly of the California Highway Patrol said the boy, whose name was not released, was being held in a juvenile hall on suspicion of felony evading and being an unlicensed driver, The (Bakersfield) Californian reported Tuesday.

Ehly said the boy had been upset by something at home prior to his high-speed joyride.

"He didn't want to be home," Ehly said. He said the young boy had to stand on the floorboards of the car to reach the pedals and was not wearing a seat belt.