2 Teens Arrested In Sarasota After Stealing Vehicle: Police

SARASOTA, FL - A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in Sarasota after allegedly stealing a car and attempting to run over police officers about 6:45 a.m. Wednesday near South Lido Beach., according to the Sarasota Police Department. Julien Guevara was charged with three felonies, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, fleeing to elude and motor vehicle theft. A 13-year-old passenger in the car was also arrested and charged with motor vehicle theft, a felony.

Sarasota Police were dispatched to the area of 12th Street and North Washington Boulevard in reference to a stolen vehicle report from the North Port Police Department. North Port police tracked the stolen vehicle to the area of South Lido Beach and requested assistance.

Sarasota officers spotted the stolen vehicle in the 1500 block of Benjamin Franklin Drive in Sarasota. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle with emergency lights activated but the vehicle fled. The vehicle continued fleeing, ending up in the northbound direction of the southbound lanes of South Boulevard of the Presidents.

Before officers knew the vehicle was traveling in the wrong direction, they set up stop sticks in the northbound lanes at the intersection of Polk Drive and South Boulevard of the Presidents. As officers were repositioning themselves, they observed the vehicle headlights heading towards them. They were approximately 2-3 feet from the vehicle's front bumper, police said.

Officers threw the stop sticks at the vehicle's hood area and leaned back against the rear driver side of their marked patrol vehicle to avoid being struck. The vehicle was stopped at the intersection of North Washington Drive and John Ringling Boulevard. The 13-year-old was arrested at the scene.

Guevara was arrested as his home Wednesday afternoon. The duo are facing additional charges from the North Port Police Department.

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