Elgin Police: Vehicle Owners Made It Easy For Teen Car Thieves
(STMW) -- Police on Thanksgiving night arrested two 17-year-old juveniles, a boy and a girl, who were charged in connection with two stolen cars in northwest suburban Elgin.
Both cars were left running to warm up with keys in the ignition when they were taken, the Elgin Courier News is reporting.
According to Elgin police, a Chrysler 300 was taken at about 8 p.m. from the 1300 block of Farm Todd Drive. Then, at 9:30 p.m., a Chevy Cobalt was taken from the 2300 block of South Street.
In that case, a witness saw another car following the Chevy as it was driven away. The second car matched the description of the previously stolen vehicle. At 10:45 p.m., an office responding to another call spotted the Chevy on the 1500 block of Todd Farm Drive. Police then began looking in the area for the Chrysler.
An officer spotted the car, with the female juvenile driving, in the area of Royal and McLean boulevards. He followed the car while awaiting backup. Officers stopped the vehicle and arrested both juveniles in the 1300 block of Todd Farm Drive.
The female was taken to Kane County Youth Home. The male juvenile was released to his parents.
Their next court appearance date was not immediately available.
Police reminded residents that it is illegal to leave a car running unattended, although the two parties in Thursday's cases were not charged. Police suggest getting automatic car starters, as those vehicles cannot be put into gear without the keys.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2014. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)