Teenagers in Stolen Car Lead Police in Chase

Two 16-year-old boys are in jail today after leading St. Petersburg Police in a car chase that ended when the stolen car the teenagers were driving crashed at a Mobil gas station. 

According to police, the incident began as two officers approached a suspicious vehicle at Chevron gas station at the corner of 1st Avenue South and 34th Street. 

As one officer walked toward the silver Suzuki Grand Vitara, which was later determined to be stolen, the 16-year-old driver drove towards the officer and then rammed into the police cruiser.

Police said the officer outside the cruiser had to jump out of the way as the car approached. Neither officer was hurt. 

Two 14-year-old girls inside the Suzuki, police said, tried to get out of the vehicle after it ran into the cruiser, but were forced back into the car by one of the teenage boys. 

The Suzuki then fled from the scene, eastbound on 1st Avenue South from 34th
Street South. Police supervisors then authorized the officers to continue the pursuit. 

According to the police report, the pursuit continued east on 1st Avenue South and at some point turned southbound and into the Roser Park neighborhood, then back westbound to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street South where it continued southbound to 22nd Avenue South and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street South.

The driver of the Suzuki, police said, drove into the Mobil gas station, 900 22nd Avenue South where he struck two vehicles in the gas station lot. The two males attempted to flee the crash scene, but were arrested. 

A driver in one of the vehicles struck in the gas station lot sustained a minor injury.

The drive of the stolen Suzuki is charged with auto theft and two outstanding arrest warrants; one for auto theft and another one for violation of probation. The other male passenger was charged with false imprisonment after he forced the 14-year-old girls back into the car and resisting arrest.