Teens charged for stealing car and fleeing from police

News Release
Teens charged for stealing car and fleeing from police
Edmonton Police Service Northeast Division officers have charged a group of teens in connection with a car theft and flight from police that started at a popular coffee shop early Monday morning.

It was reported to police that a 59-year-old male had entered a coffee shop in the area 50 Street and 167 Avenue at approximately 5:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, 2014. The male allegedly left his Pontiac Grand Am running with the keys in the ignition while he entered the coffee shop for a few minutes. Four youths who were sitting inside the coffee shop allegedly ran outside to the unattended vehicle and drove off. The owner of the vehicle immediately contacted police to report the vehicle stolen.

At approximately 7:00 a.m., the stolen car passed by an unmarked EPS vehicle conducting laser speed enforcement along Anthony Henday Drive and 82 Street. The car was travelling westbound on Anthony Henday at a high rate of speed, and did not pull over when the police vehicle activated its emergency equipment and attempted a vehicle stop. The police vehicle radioed dispatch for support and called off the pursuit in the interest of public safety. The police vehicle continued to observe the car from a distance, and watched it exit the Anthony Henday northbound onto 127 Street, where it lost control and went into the ditch.

EPS Northeast Division patrol officers and an EPS Canine Unit converged as the four occupants fled the car. Two teens were quickly arrested, and the other two teens turned themselves in shortly afterwards. There were no injuries reported. The stolen Pontiac Grand Am suffered front-end and undercarriage damage and was returned to its owner.

A 16-year-old male has been charged with possession of stolen property, hit and run, speeding, driving without valid operator’s licence, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, failure to stop for a police officer, and breach of conditions. A 14-year-old male has been charged with possession of stolen property, and breach of conditions. A 15-year-old male has been charged with possession of stolen property, and breach of conditions. A 16-year-old female has been charged with possession of stolen property. The names of the youths will not be released in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

“Theft of running vehicles is a problem that we see especially at this time of year,” says Const. Tedd Benesch with the EPS Northeast Division Traffic Enforcement Unit. “It’s a crime of opportunity and thieves are always looking for a ‘hot car’ that is left running with the keys inside. Avoid leaving your vehicle idling with the keys inside, and always double check that your vehicle is locked.”