News

Actions

Teen arrested after police chase

Posted at 7:29 AM, Dec 21, 2012
and last updated 2012-12-21 09:29:54-05

SALT LAKE CITY — A teenager is in custody after leading police on a chase, crashing into a telephone pole and then trying to run away on foot.

It happened near Paxton Avenue and West Temple in Salt Lake City Thursday night.

According to police, U.S. Marshals spotted a parked stolen car and they saw a 16-year-old boy get in and drive off.

Cops tried to stop him by boxing him in, but he allegedly drove around the police cars and led them on a short three-block chase before slamming into a telephone pole.

Police said he then got out and tried to run away. He was arrested after a short foot chase.

Marshals are concerned that this is a growing problem among teens.

“For a 16-year-old kid, you see more and more juveniles in stolen vehicles than before, driving them and fleeing from the police,” said Rick Simonelli, Deputy U.S. Marshal, Salt Lake Gang Unit. “It’s good to get this kid off the street so hopefully he won’t hurt anybody else.”

The car is totaled and the teen is in juvenile custody facing several felony charges.