PHOENIX — The Mesa Police Department arrested two minors accused of various crimes, including fleeing from officers in a stolen vehicle, authorities announced Wednesday.
The two juveniles, who are aged 16 and 17, stole a Chevrolet Malibu out of Queen Creek on Sept. 11, according to the Mesa Police Department.
They were later identified as two runaways from Queen Creek.
What crimes are teenage runaways accused of committing in Mesa?
Mesa’s Real Time Crime Center alerted officers that the car was traveling eastbound on Southern Avenue around 11:30 a.m. last Thursday.
An officer tried to get the juveniles to pull over near Mesa High School, but the driver drove through a Walmart parking lot before driving onto Baseline Road while trying to flee, police said.
During the pursuit, the vehicle stopped near Jacinto Circle. The two juveniles allegedly left the car while it was still running.
Since the engine was still on, the car rolled forward, striking and damaging a residential gate, police said.
After setting up a perimeter, officers found the two juveniles allegedly hiding in a nearby backyard.
Police said the 17-year-old later admitted to stealing the car with his 16-year-old accomplice as well as another juvenile, who officers have not yet located as of Wednesday afternoon.
The 17-year-old was booked on four charges: theft of means of transportation, fleeing from law enforcement, hit-and-run and two counts of trespassing in fenced residential yards.
The 16-year-old was booked on two charges: theft of means of transportation and trespassing in fenced residential yards.
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