Teen, 16, Steals TEC Buses for Night Joyrides in Belgium

A 16-year-old from Tournai, Belgium, has been caught multiple times stealing public transport buses from a TEC depot to drive around at night, according to multiple Belgian media outlets. The teenager, who does not possess a driver’s license, has repeatedly entered the depot, taken buses, and abandoned them the following morning—raising urgent questions about security protocols and the effectiveness of the juvenile justice system.

Background

The teenager’s most recent incident occurred during the night of June 1–2, 2026, when he stole a bus from a depot in Tournai and drove it approximately 25 kilometers to Mouscron, where it was found abandoned at the station the next morning. This was not an isolated event. According to Het Laatste Nieuws, the teen has been caught by police on multiple occasions but continues his nighttime escapades.

The depot is managed by a private subcontractor on behalf of LeTec, the brand name for TEC (Transport En Commun), the Walloon public transport authority. The buses are reportedly left with keys accessible and doors that can be opened without difficulty, allowing the teenager to enter, start the vehicles, and drive off.

A Recurring Pattern

According to RTL Info, the teenager follows the same pattern each time: he enters the depot in the evening, takes a bus, drives through the night, and abandons it the next morning. The thefts have caused operational disruptions, as bus drivers arriving for their shifts sometimes find vehicles missing, affecting both service and pay.

Michel Dillies, a permanent union delegate for the FGTB Belgian Transport Union, described the situation to RTL Info: “He’s a young man who entered the site, hid, took possession of the bus. And there, without a license, he managed to start it, apparently without any collision. So he drove from Tournai to Mouscron during part of the night, where the bus was found.”

Remarkably, no accidents or material damage have been reported from any of the incidents. However, the teenager has reportedly picked up passengers during his nighttime drives, according to statements from bus drivers cited by Sudinfo.

Security and Safety Concerns

The repeated thefts have exposed significant security vulnerabilities at the depot. Dillies expressed concern about public safety, telling RTL Info: “Already, a teenager without a license is a danger on the road in a car. So imagine a bus that doesn’t drive at all the same way.”

Bus drivers have described the teen’s ability to start and maneuver the buses as “impressive,” but they fear for the safety of other road users. The fact that a minor with no formal training can repeatedly access and operate heavy vehicles highlights a critical gap in depot security.

Official Response

Audrey Lepape, Communications Manager for LeTec Hainaut, confirmed that the company has contacted the public prosecutor’s office. “For our part, we support the private carrier. We will officially contact the public prosecutor so that the necessary steps are taken. LeTec deplores these thefts,” she told RTL Info. “As for seeing it as a calling or a future recruit, that is not the case. It’s probably a passion for him, but personally, I don’t think it’s a calling. Because stealing public property does not align with the values upheld by our company.”

The private transport company is filing a complaint and urging the justice system to take charge of the minor. LeTec has formally requested that the subcontractor enhance security measures, particularly systems designed to prevent bus movement.

Broader Implications

The case raises difficult questions about Belgium’s juvenile justice system. Despite being intercepted by police multiple times, the teenager has not been detained in a way that prevents reoffending. This pattern of repeat offending by a minor—coupled with the lack of serious consequences—has prompted debate about how the justice system handles juvenile offenders who pose a public risk.

The incidents also highlight liability questions between the private subcontractor managing the depot and LeTec as the public transport authority. Commenters on HLN have noted that if keys remain in buses and doors are easily opened, the responsibility for preventing future thefts lies primarily with the depot operator.

What’s Next

With the teenager reportedly arrested after the most recent incident on June 2, authorities face pressure to ensure he does not reoffend. LeTec has made clear it expects the justice system to take decisive action. Meanwhile, enhanced security measures at the depot—including systems to prevent unauthorized vehicle movement—are expected to be implemented. The case serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly secure infrastructure can be vulnerable to determined individuals, regardless of age.