http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16673691/

LAKEWOOD, Wash. - A 9-year-old boy who didn't like his suburban Tacoma home grabbed a car, got caught, was returned home to his mother, then ran away again and flew to San Antonio with a plane change in Phoenix before he was arrested, authorities said.

Investigators and Southwest Airlines officials were trying to determine how Semaj Booker, who was trying to get to his grandfather in Texas, made his way through security and onto the airplane.

In a statement Wednesday, Southwest Airlines said a young man approached the ticket counter at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport requesting a boarding pass and saying 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, adding that he was not listed as an "unaccompanied minor" because he told the ticket agent he was 12 years old.

He made it through airport security in Seattle and Phoenix, and hopped two separate flights before gate agents in San Antonio stopped him short of his Dallas destination, police said.

Airline employees stopped Semaj from boarding another flight from San Antonio to Dallas when he couldn't explain why he didn't have the proper paperwork or a boarding pass, said David Hebert, spokesman for the San Antonio International Airport.

Airline staff turned the boy over to airport police after speaking with him at length and "not getting anywhere," Hebert said.

"Our officers brought him to the office and went through the same process," he said, adding that it took until early the next day before they could get the boy to share his real name and his situation.

"I think more than anything they were a little bit frustrated by his answers," he said. "From their standpoint, this was just a young man who seemed to be confused at first. Then he seemed to be flat-out lying."

The 80-pound, 4-foot-9 fourth-grader, held in juvenile detention Tuesday in San Antonio, was "incredibly motivated to get to Texas," Lakewood police Lt. David Guttu told The News Tribune of Tacoma. "He doesn't want to live in Washington state."

Charges filed
The Pierce County, Wash., prosecutor filed three charges against Booker on Wednesday in juvenile court, all related to the Sunday vehicle theft. The charges were sent to San Antonio, but Guttu wasn't sure what the next step would be.

"We really don't extradite juveniles. ><snip><

I don't understand why this is considered newsworthy. He went through the TSA security checkpoint, so he had nothing dangerous with him.

The boy had a valid BP and was carrying any guns, liquids or gels.

Seems to me the TSA did their job.

Security? What security? We have a five billion dollar a year show, but we don't have security.

While I enjoy heaping anti-praise on the TSA like many others , this one is all Southwest.

Wonder if it will make the TV show ?

The show's been cancelled

I need to turn one of my TVs on once in awhile .

Smart kid.

I have to give the boy props. He's a smart boy. I have a bad feeling that what may end up happening is that TSA will start scrutinizing kids. There has been a lot of trust placed on our youth. This kid exposed and exploited a loophole in the system. I'm expecting a extreme knee-jerk reaction to this.

Afterall, he did show just how easy it is for a kid to get through. Even though TSA has no fault in this, I'm afraid of what reaction may come of it.

Yeah, he is real smart kid. He could get determination for 9 years old boy when he was flying alone from SEA-PHX-SAT. He could get cause lot of problems with his relatives in Washington State. He does not like living in Washingtion State. He have his grandfather who living in Texas.

It's not exactly a common name, so presumably he (or someone) did in fact have a reservation. He passed through security, so this boils down to just his lying about his age; if he looked 12 to the CSR, then I can't see why this (the flying bit) is a major story let alone has any "security" angle at all.

Nicking his Mum's car is a different matter though

As am I. MOre scrutiny for us all, especially the children.

I'd expect the knee-jerk to include mandatory ID for kids in some fashion. "You don't have an identity card? You can't fly..."

This one really is on WN.

Not really.

The TSA allows the airlines to dictate who has clearance through the checkpoint.

While Southwest is holding the bag for giving him the boarding pass, TSA needs to specify that minors should have a responsible adult present when the originating tickets are issued.

More Government regulations.

Just what we need.

What was the parent doing... leaving his/her keys lying around the house where this boy got a hold of them and took the car on a joyride to the airport?

We need more responsible parents that truly look after their kids in a better manner than this irresponsible parent who allowed this 9 year old boy to run free at will.

Sanosuke!