URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The apprehension of four juveniles for possessing a stolen car and burglary tools was the result of joint efforts between the University of Illinois Police Department and the Urbana Police Department.
The UIPD reported that the events commenced around 4:30 a.m. within the Orchard Downs apartment complex. This week, the department received six reports of vehicle break-ins in that area, predominantly targeting Nissans, Kias, and Hyundais. Consequently, an officer was assigned to patrol the complex.
During the patrol, the officer noticed a blue Hyundai Elantra attempting to enter the complex from Race Street. Authorities reported that upon seeing the officer, the car’s occupants made a swift turn back onto Race Street and drove away.
UIPD officials said the officer recognized this car as the same one Urbana Police officers described over the radio earlier in the morning. They took a report of a blue Elantra being stolen from their jurisdiction.
The officer at Orchard Downs tried to stop the Elantra, officials said, but before a stop could be made, the Elantra crashed into a construction site near the intersection of Race Street and Windsor Road. Four juveniles tried to run away but were caught as additional UIPD and Urbana officers arrived.
A search of the Elantra and the juveniles’ flight paths found multiple burglary tools, officials said. The crashed Elantra was confirmed to have been stolen earlier that morning.
“This incident highlights the ongoing cooperation between the University of Illinois Police Department and the Urbana Police Department in addressing vehicle-related crimes in the area,” UIPD officials said in a news release.
One of the juveniles was booked into a juvenile detention center while the other three were released to their guardians.
