Officials with the Stuart Police Department, Tuesday, a juvenile was apprehended Monday, in connection with a string of incidents.  At around 1:50-a.m., officers were sent to the 300 block of Centennial Street in Stuart, for a report of a stolen vehicle. Just before 2-a.m., a Stuart Officer located the vehicle traveling in the 100 block of SE 7th Street. When the officer activated their emergency lights, the vehicle took off and a short chase ensued.

The vehicle traveled north through several blocks of residential streets at a high rate of speed. It traveled recklessly at times through yards and hit a street sign at SW 6th and S. Harrison, before turning into an alley and traveling for several more blocks. The driver jumped from the still moving vehicle in an alley behind the 500 block of S. Gaines Street. The vehicle continued on for several hundred more feet before coming to rest in the alley. The suspect was not located, despite several agencies including a K9 from the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office’ best efforts.

Later that same morning, authorities received multiple reports of vehicle bring broken into overnight, and an additional vehicle being stolen from the 400 block of S. Division Street. The vehicle burglaries took place in various areas around Stuart, with several items stolen. At around 9:45-a.m., Monday, officers located the second, stolen vehicle. It was parked in the 200 block of SE 7th Street.

At around 1:30-p.m. Monday, Stuart Police were able to determine a juvenile male was a person of interest in the vehicle thefts. About an hour later, while collecting evidence in the 200 block of SE 7th Street, Stuart Police saw the juvenile male fleeing the area through a corn field. The male was taken into custody by Stuart Police, and found to be in possession of suspected alcohol, marijuana, nicotine products and drug paraphernalia.

A hotel room at 203 SE 7th Street, where the juvenile had reportedly been staying, was later searched, with evidence discovered that linked the juvenile to several vehicle burglaries. The boy was interviewed with his parents present, and admitted to some involvement in the vehicle burglaries and thefts. Charges against the boy are pending.

Authorities note both stolen vehicles had been unlocked, and had the keys inside. Each of the burglarized vehicles were also unlocked. Police says “This is a great reminder, why vehicles should be locked, and valuables should be removed. Most vehicle thefts and burglaries are crimes of opportunity.”  They said also, the incidents remain under investigation, and additional charges may be filed.