Teen Rolled Out Of Moving Vehicle During Stafford Chase: Police

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — Three teens face criminal charges after stealing a package and leading deputies on a chase, the Stafford County Sheriff's Office said.

Authorities have not provided names or ages for the suspects, due to a Virginia law that protects the identities of minors.

All three suspects are charged with unlawful entry, larceny, and destruction of property. The driver is also charged with obstruction of justice. One passenger faces an additional charge of unlawful entry, larceny, and destruction of property. The final suspect was also charged with obstruction of justice, underage possession of tobacco, and underage possession of marijuana.

The suspects were released to their parents after juvenile intake officials elected not to detain them.

The incident began around 6 p.m. on Wednesday on Elkton Drive. A caller told authorities that they saw three young people steal a package from a porch and go into an abandoned apartment. A deputy arrived on scene as the suspects tried to drive away.

"In what was surely a slow-motion movie scene worthy moment, the three suspects and Deputy Hensley maintained eye contact as they passed each other," the sheriff's office said in a report. "As Deputy Hensley turned around, the suspect vehicle began to accelerate and attempted to evade law enforcement."

During the pursuit, one of the suspects rolled out of the moving vehicle, authorities said. They then tried to run away, but all three suspects were detained by the deputy.

As they spoke with authorities, the children admitted to stealing the $140 package and entering the abandoned apartment. The driver also told a deputy that they were intentionally trying to avoid law enforcement.

The children were released to their parents after receiving criminal complaints.