On Thursday July 25, 2019 shortly before 1700 hrs. Auto Crimes Detective Will Smith was looking for stolen vehicles. Det. Smith checked a parking lot between Reiker Ave. and Crystal St. Det. Smith located a total of (4) vehicles that had been reported as stolen to Lancaster Bureau of Police and Manheim Twp. Police. The vehicles were a Dodge Dart, a Toyota RAV4, a Hyundai Santa Fe and a Honda CRV. 

Det. Smith was watching the vehicles and making arrangements to have the vehicles brought to the Lancaster Bureau of Police station for follow up investigation. While Det. Smith was waiting, an unknown male got into the Hyundai Santa Fe, started it and left in the stolen vehicle. Det. Smith notified Officers via radio that the Santa Fe was driven from the lot. 

Several moments later Officers in a marked vehicle spotted the Santa Fe on the 100 blk. Pearl St. The driver turned into an alley and refused to yield to the emergency lights and sirens. The driver fled on First St., turned south on South West End Ave. then turned east onto Third St. The suspect continued on Third St. all the way to the 600 blk. Manor St.

The suspect made a right turn onto Manor Sr. and was unable to fully negotiate the turn. The suspect driver turned on the opposing lane of traffic and caused a head-on collision with an occupied vehicle that was driving  east on Manor St. The suspect fled from the vehicle on foot. Officers apprehended the driver on 1st blk. Caroline St. 

The occupants of the victim vehicle on Manor St. suffered minor injuries as a result of the crash and sought treatment at the hospital. 

The suspect driver was identified as a (14) year old juvenile resident of Lancaster City. The juvenile was transported to the station. Det. Smith filed an allegation against the juvenile before Lancaster County Juvenile Probation. The juvenile was charged with Receiving Stolen Property (F3), Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injury While Not Properly Licensed (M2), Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police (F3), Accidents to Attended Vehicle or Property (M3), Drivers Required to Be Licensed (S), (five counts) Duties at Stop Sign (S). 

The juvenile was placed on record. Juvenile Probation was consulted regarding detention at YIC. Detention was not authorized so the juvenile was released to the custody of a parent. 

It should be noted that on earlier July 25, 2019 Officers from Lancaster Bureau of Police recovered (2) additional stolen vehicles, an Acura MDX and a Hyundai Sonata. On July 26, 2019 Det. Smith recovered a stolen Kia Sorento. A total of (7) stolen vehicles were recovered over (2) days. In every single instance of those (7) vehicles, the vehicles were able to be stolen because a key for the vehicle had been left inside the vehicle. None of those thefts would have been accomplished without the presence of a key for the vehicle.

Lancaster Bureau of Police would remind residents to remove all valuable items from vehicles. secure all windows, lock vehicle doors and never leave a key for the vehicle in the vehicle. 

All persons accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court or adjudicated delinquent.