2 Teens Crash Stolen Jeep After License Plate Reader Alerts Cops

CHICAGO, IL — Two teenage boys — one of them armed — were apprehended Sunday after leading police on a chase that ended in a crash when a license plate reader identified the stolen vehicle they were in, according to Chicago police.

A 17-year-old boy driving the 2002 red Jeep was charged with two counts of felony unlawful use of a weapon in the incident in the East Garfield Park neighborhood. The passenger in the Jeep, a 16-year-old boy, was cited for misdemeanor criminal trespass to a vehicle.

Officers on patrol spotted the stolen Jeep when it was flagged by a plate reader, according to a police release. The teens tried to flee, but the driver crashed the vehicle in the 500 block of South Kedzie Avenue.

The 16-year-old passenger then tried to escape on foot, but he was apprehended in the 3300 block West Van Buren Avenue. The 17-year-old driver was taken into custody at the crash scene, and police discovered he had two firearms in his possession.

The Jeep had been reported stolen at about 4:25 a.m. Friday, Dec. 30, from the 2800 block of North Rockwell Street, police said.

photo via Shutterstock

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