TACOMA, Wash. (AP) - A young boy who stole a car, led police on a high-speed chase and the next day talked his way onto two Southwest Airlines flights has a chance to keep his record clean and stay out of juvenile detention, thanks to a judge who gave him probation this week.

Pierce County Superior Court Judge John McCarthy on Wednesday found Semaj Booker, now 10, guilty of second-degree car theft, attempting to elude police and driving without a license in connection with his January antics. But if Booker puts in his best effort at school, pays back the woman whose car he stole, doesn't get behind the wheel for the next year and complies with other conditions, his conviction will be vacated.

"We hope that he's successful and that we never see him again," said Deputy Prosecutor Fred Wist.

Authorities say the boy took a neighbor's car Jan. 14 and sped down State Highway 512 with police in pursuit. He eventually crashed when the car's engine blew, according to court records.

The next day, he talked his way onto two Southwest Airlines flights and flew to Texas all by himself. His mother, Sakinah Booker, said her son was unhappy in the Tacoma suburb of Lakewood and wanted to be with his grandfather in Dallas. The boy later appeared on the talk show "Dr. Phil" - in violation of a court order - to discuss his case.