Four Teens Arrested After Vehicle and Foot Pursuit in Stolen Truck

A 14-year-old, 15-year-old and two 16-year-olds have been charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Felony Evading with a Vehicle, and Evading Arrest/Detention on Foot after leading police on a short vehicle and foot pursuit in north San Angelo Monday.                 

At approximately 2:00 p.m., San Angelo Police Patrol Officers responded to the Tom Green County Library to meet with a victim who reported his 1998 Chevrolet pickup truck had just been stolen from the parking lot.  A witness at the scene told police she saw the victim’s vehicle, occupied by two males, involved in a hit and run crash at the parking lot before fleeing the scene at a high rate of speed.

While responding Officer A. Rios was receiving information about the incident, the victim received a call from a family member who said they saw the stolen truck being driven in north San Angelo.  Officer Rios began to coordinate with the caller to relay information to dispatch and additional police units about the stolen truck’s direction of travel. 

SAPD Sgt. W. Bodden responded to the location of the stolen truck and positively identified it traveling south in the 1400 block of Pecan St.  Sgt. Bodden activated his vehicle’s lights in an attempt to stop the stolen truck, however the driver refused to stop.  The driver fled the area at a high rate of speed and a short vehicle pursuit ensued throughout the surrounding area until the driver jumped from the truck while it was still in motion and fled on foot through a nearby alley.  Soon after, three additional suspects jumped out of the moving truck and ran away on foot.  The truck came to a stop after it collided with a utility pole.

Sgt. Bodden chased the driver, who in his attempt to evade arrest, jumped several fences and through several backyards of nearby residences.  Sgt. Bodden soon caught up with the suspect in the front yard of a residence in the 400 block of E. 14th Street.  The suspect, who initially refused verbal commands and physically resisted being taken into custody, was placed in handcuffs without further incident.  During a search of the 15-year-old suspect incident to arrest, officers located a small plastic baggy that contained marijuana.

The three additional suspects were soon located in the immediate area by responding officers and taken into custody without incident.  All four juveniles were transported to the Tom Green County Juvenile Justice Center where they were booked in on the aforementioned charges. 

The 15-year-old driver was additionally charged with Class B Possession of Marijuana. 

The truck sustained minor damage from the crash.  After the SAPD Crime Scene Investigations Section processed the truck for evidence, it was released back to the owner.