Police: Teen steals car, flees

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Public Safety Reports

By Melanie Ruberti

mruberti@civitasmedia.com

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A 16 year old is facing multiple charges after allegedly stealing a car and then fleeing from LaGrange police when an officer tried to pull him over Monday morning.

Police Lt. Dale Strickland, the department’s administrative services commander, said the officer originally stopped the car for a seat belt violation at the intersection of Brownwood Avenue and Palm Street.

According to Strickland, the officer did not know at the time the car was stolen.

The driver stopped for the officer on Brownwood Avenue, but then suddenly took off, running through several stop signs before crashing into an embankment at the intersection of Brownwood Avenue and Monroe Street, Strickland stated.

The 16-year-old driver and two other passengers jumped out of the car and fled on foot, added Strickland.

According to the lieutenant, police officers quickly caught the driver and another passenger — but are still looking for the third passenger as of press time today.

Strickland stated the driver was arrested and charged with seat belt violation, fleeing and attempting to elude an officer, reckless driving, operating without a drivers license and obstruction.

More charges against the teen are pending, added Strickland.

Officials said the car the teen was driving was a 1994 Honda Accord that was reported stolen on Sunday from North Davis Road.

Copper thefts

Thieves stealing copper gutters have struck again — this time taking the downspouts from the Mallory Realty building at 300 Broome Street.

LaGrange police officers report they met with one of the businesses’ brokers Monday morning around 8:30 who told them someone stole ten copper gutter downspouts over the weekend.

According to the broker, he found pieces of the gutter lying around the building when he arrived at work that morning.

He told police he already contacted a contractor who estimated it would cost $1,000 to replace the downspouts.

Officers said the case is under investigation.

Burglaries

• A woman called 911 around 3:15 Monday afternoon after she arrived home in the 100 block of Fendig Street and found her back door open and bathroom window broken. She told LaGrange police officers a 70-inch flat screen TV, a 50-inch flat screen TV and a Play Station 3 video game console were missing.

The items were valued around $1,500.

An LaGrange police officer said a trash can was found underneath the bathroom window, where he believed the thief may have entered the residence.

• LaGrange police said another burglar may have also used a window to climb inside an apartment and steal some loot.

A man called 911 when he arrived home Monday around 4 p.m. and noticed someone broke into his apartment located in the 200 block of North Dawson Street.

The victim told officers he noticed his bedroom window was raised. He said a 42-inch Sanyo TV, various clothing items and a Sony Playstation 3 video game console were taken from his room. The total value was estimated around $1,900.

All information in this report is gathered from official law enforcement and public safety reports and releases. It is the policy of the Daily News to list the names of people charged with felonies.

Melanie Ruberti is a reporter at LaGrange Daily News. She may be reached at 706-884-7311, ext. 2156.