The Columbia Police Department’s Property Crimes Unit has charged a 17-year-old male in connection with a stolen vehicle investigation.
The juvenile was arrested last night after a brief police pursuit on Bull Street (near Calhoun Street) at approximately 11:30 p.m. on July 18, 2019.
The suspect is currently housed in the juvenile section at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center (ASGDC) charged with Grand Larceny of a Motor Vehicle and Failure to Stop for Blue Lights and Sirens.
The vehicle, a gold Chevy Impala was reported stolen from the 3200 block of Farrow Road. The owner reported to officers that he left the keys in the ignition with the engine running.
A description of the vehicle was sent to CPD officers across the City and a supervisor on regular patrol spotted the car. He attempted a traffic stop with blue lights and sirens but the suspect driver failed to stop and left the immediate scene.
During the escape effort, the suspect was seen driving on the wrong side of the road, hitting a curb and running away from Bull Street.
A K-9 team soon found the suspect nearby and took him into custody. The stolen car was recovered at the scene.
All suspects arrested/charged are presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Auto-Breaking Prevention tips:
- Always lock your vehicle’s doors
- Close windows/sunroof
- Do not leave valuables in plain view
- Consider anti-theft security device / alarm
If your vehicle is stolen:
- Call 9-1-1
- Make sure you know the license plate and vehicle’s VIN number
- If you see someone stealing your car, try to get a good description of the suspect (s).
It’s also beneficial to take a picture of your vehicle and VIN number for record keeping purposes. You can give the picture to law enforcement to aid in the vehicle’s recovery.
*Report auto-breaking or larceny incidents to your local law enforcement agency*