17 Year old Led Police on Late Night Chase in Stolen Vehicle

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Police in Centerville Utah were led on a late night chase by a 17 year old Magna boy in a stolen vehicle.

Evading police in a stolen vehicle

Photo by: Mark Doliner
Photo by: Mark Doliner

Officers in Centerville because suspicious of the teen’s behavior and quickly discovered that the teen was driving a stolen vehicle. When police attempted to pull the young driver over, he decided to flee instead. After hitting speeds of 80 mph the teen blew a tire and eventually crashed into a fence. He then left the stolen vehicle and fled on foot, only to be found dripping wet hiding in a creek.

2nd degree felony

Officers don’t know how the Magna teen acquired the motor vehicle, but he could be facing a 2nd degree felony for being in possession of a stolen vehicle. According to Utah code 76-6-412: “Theft of property ( . . . ) is punishable: as a second degree felony if the : ( . . . ) property stolen is a firearm or an operable motor vehicle;”

Auto Theft is not joyriding

Many teens may be confused on the dissimilarity between auto theft and joyriding. Although they are both illegal, the penalty between the two is very different. Joyriding is a misdemeanor while auto theft is a felony. So why is the 17 year old from Magna facing felony charges instead of a misdemeanor? The reasons could for multiple details including:

• The vehicle had been stolen for more than a day (undetermined at this time)

• The stolen vehicle was used to commit a crime (evading police)

• There was moderate damage done to the vehicle while stolen (crashing through a fence)

Teens who have made the mistake of borrowing a car without permission, it is important to return the vehicle promptly in good condition without breaking any other laws in the process. For legal help regarding auto theft or joyriding, contact a juvenile defense attorney.