stunt double Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Discuss. Boy, 9, takes flight in car, then hops jets Lakewood runaway was headed to Dallas By COLIN McDONALD P-I REPORTER A 9-year-old runaway's plane-hopping journey from Lakewood to Dallas fell short Wednesday with prosecutors back home filing felony charges -- and Southwest Airlines officials scrambling to explain how the boy got through their terminals and onto two planes. "He might be a little more sophisticated than your average 9-year-old," said Fred Wist, chief prosecutor for Pierce County's juvenile division. Semaj Booker's strange adventure began Sunday afternoon when he stole a 1986 Acura that had been left running in front of a neighbor's house. Police spotted the boy on state Route 512 near the Interstate 5 interchange and gave chase when he refused to pull over. The pursuit hit speeds of 80 to 90 mph and ended when the Acura's engine blew out while the car exited the highway. "He just coasted to a stop and bumped into a tree," Lakewood police Lt. David Guttu said. Officers had to smash one of the car's windows because Semaj refused to unlock the doors and come out. Because of his age, officials at Pierce County's Juvenile Detention Center refused to admit Semaj. So police took him back to his mother's house. Early the next morning, though, Semaj took off again. He slipped out of his suburban Tacoma home and somehow made it to Sea-Tac Airport, where he sailed through a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint. Authorities say the boy managed to lie his way onto two flights, aiming to get to his native Texas. "Everything he is doing is designed to get him to Dallas," Guttu said. "That is what he calls home." Southwest Airlines is still trying to figure out how the 4-foot-9, 80-pound youth was able to fly from Seattle to San Antonio with a plane change in Phoenix without drawing the attention of airline workers. Airline spokeswoman Marilee McInnis said Semaj approached the Southwest ticket counter Monday morning. He said he had lost his boarding pass and his mother was already in the boarding area. "The young man's information matched a paid, ticketless reservation for the flight. Based on the information he gave us, he was issued a boarding pass," the airline said in a statement Wednesday. Southwest's policy for unaccompanied minors only applies to 5- to 11-year-olds, and Semaj -- apparently having done his homework -- told the agent at the ticket counter that he was 12. "We don't know how he got the information he gave," McInnis said. With the boarding pass in hand, Semaj walked through a TSA security checkpoint, no questions asked. Only adult passengers, 18 and older, are required to carry picture identification, said TSA spokeswoman Jennifer Marty-Peppin. She said there was no security breach: Making sure customers get on the right plane is the airline's problem. Once in San Antonio, Semaj tried to board a third plane bound for Dallas, but Southwest employees stopped him at the gate when he couldn't produce a proper boarding pass or provide correct information, said David Hebert, a spokesman for San Antonio International Airport. Southwest staffers initially thought the boy was lost, but when they realized he was lying, they called airport police. After he again gave false information about his age, name and where he had come from, he was taken to the San Antonio police station. There, officers found he fit the description of a missing-person report his mother had filed with Lakewood police. Semaj was temporarily placed in a boys' home and registered as a runaway. He was charged Wednesday in Pierce County with car theft and attempting to elude police, both felonies, and driving without a license. But he likely won't be prosecuted. Wist opted not to issue an arrest warrant, saying he needs more information about the mother's decision to move back to Texas. Sakinah Booker told The News Tribune that her son doesn't like the neighborhood and is afraid of a sex offender who lives nearby. "He does not like it at all," she said. She said she hoped to move her four sons back to Dallas soon. "It may very well be that he is where he wants to be," Wist said. "And with a follow-through on the move, that might be the best thing to happen right now." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soulkillers Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 whoop that ass and send him to his room Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CACashRefund Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 if he was white abc family would put out a movie based on his story next week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cracksmoka Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 i need this little man on my team... think of the possibilities. $$$$$$$ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr.yuck Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 this is so fuckin rad on so many levels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theo Huxtable. Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 smart kid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fat ralphy Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 damn...police chase till he blows out an engine...savage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T_R_O_N Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 damn kid would make a sick writer, lil nigga is a fucking ninja, i bet alqueda wants to recruit him to train the insurgents lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MayorMeanBeans Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEANCONNERY Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 all i gotta say is dope!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DA KID MERO Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 THIS IS THE SON (I THINK) I NEVER HAD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Murphy[ r.i.p]. kid Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Airline spokeswoman Marilee McInnis said Semaj approached the Southwest ticket counter Monday morning. He said he had lost his boarding pass and his mother was already in the boarding area. Thats what the homie Culkin did in Holm Alone part Two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
After School Special Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 That's crazy driving at 80-90 at 9 years old without crashing. I fucking sucked when I 1st started driving, and I was 15/16. Would have been awesome if he made it back home. Good thing I couldn't bring my water and books on the plane when I flew, I mean, they are obviously doing everything possible to keep us safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint seiya Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 my nigga is the real deal not like that bitch mckauly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Murphy[ r.i.p]. kid Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 my nigga is the real deal not like that bitch mckauly Anytbody hATING ON Culkin is a bitch. If he was Black you wouldnt have said that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IOU Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 U.S. government needs to recruit this kid before the towel headed people do.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoblow Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Do you think his name spells James backwards on purpose? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtydoses Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 just another nigger hopping planes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theo Huxtable. Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 ^you're the nigger, nigger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CALIgula Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 ooooh....you said the n-word Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-WAY Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 so sick!!!!! I LOVE THIS KID Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtydoses Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 ^you're the nigger, nigger what i meant was nigger with aids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Quickwood Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 hahah i guess the kid inherited it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nino1 Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 THIS KID IS COOLER THAN ALL OF YOU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YOUNG UN Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 WHAT A VET! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tango 24 Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 an inspiration to us all at nine i was sitting at home playing with power rangers and watching TMNT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClueTwo Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Tragic, absolutely tragic... This kid should be appluaded for exploiting security breaches, not arrested. He's my new hero. edit: needed a comma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PUMPKIN ESCOBAR Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 my man is taking 5-0 on high speed car chases at 9 years, shittin on the TSA and homeland security, someone pour this kid a shot and roll him a dutch up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thought_Monster Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 wonder what he will be doing when hes older ... dope though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harvey Wallbanger Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 "Sakinah Booker told The News Tribune that her son doesn't like the neighborhood and is afraid of a sex offender who lives nearby." What?!!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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