San Angelo Resident Finds His Stolen Car, Detains Thief

At approximately 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 9, a resident in the 3800 block of Crockett Street started his car and went inside while it warmed up.  The victim returned about 10 minutes later to find his 2003 Dodge Stratus was gone.  He called police and made a report.

At approximately 11:00 a.m., the victim was riding in another vehicle when he observed his vehicle occupied by an unknown male in the 700 block of N. Main Street.  When he tried to make contact with the driver, the car took off and headed north on Main Street reaching speeds of 70 miles per hour.

At 24th Street, the driver of the stolen vehicle attempted to turn west, lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a chain link fence.  The victim detained the driver of the vehicle until San Angelo Police arrived. 

Upon arrival, Officer Navarez made contact with the driver and identified him as a 16-year-old juvenile.  When asked by Officer Navarez if the car belonged to him, the juvenile replied, “No, I stole it.”

Prior to the juvenile’s apprehension, police learned he drove the stolen vehicle to a store in the 700 block of N Main when he observed a vehicle pull up behind him.  Believing it was the police; the juvenile took off, drove northbound on Main Street and lost control on the wet roadway as he attempted to turn onto 24th Street.   The vehicle, which was damaged during the crash, went over the curb before colliding with the fence.

 The juvenile suspect was transported to the Tom Green County Juvenile Justice Center and charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.