On July 31st, 2026, at approximately 1:17 am, an officer on patrol attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle at the intersection of North Walnut Street and Brandy Lane. Upon the officers exiting their vehicle to make contact with the driver, the vehicle fled the stop. Officers got back into their vehicle and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit ended after the vehicle crashed into a culvert to the rear of residences on Golden Court, in Upper Allen Township. After crashing, the driver and front seat passenger fled the area on foot. Officers were able to track down the driver and took him into custody. He was identified as a 14 year old juvenile male from the Mechanicsburg area. An ambulance was dispatched and the juvenile was transported to the hospital for further evaluation of what were to be believed as minor injuries. The passenger was able to flee the area and an investigation into identifying the passenger is ongoing. It was later determined the vehicle had been stolen from a residence located in the 100 block of Madison Drive which is why the driver fled. The vehicle had been left unlocked with the keys inside. The police department was assisted by the Upper Allen Township Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and Hampden Township EMS. Anyone with information about the passenger is asked to contact the police department. Charges will be filed with Cumberland County Juvenile Probation. The juvenile was released to his parents.
Residents are reminded to lock their vehicles and remove valuables. Unfortunately motor vehicle thefts where the vehicle is unsecure with the keys inside are too common in Central Pennsylvania. There are also numerous thefts from motor vehicles where the vehicles are left unlocked with valuables, including purses and wallets, and at times firearms left in them.