Romeoville Teen Nabbed On Car Theft, Gun Charges: Sheriff

PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, IL — A 16-year-old from Romeoville could face charges in connection with two separate car thefts — both vehicles left running and unattended — after police say he attempted to flee from deputies first in a stolen car and then on foot. The Will County Sheriff's Department said the teen was found with a loaded semi-automatic handgun and keys to more than one vehicle. Charges have been filed in one vehicle theft, and more charges could be pending, police said.

On Monday afternoon, deputies were dispatched to the 13000 block of Danbury Drive in Plainfield Township in response to a report of a stolen vehicle. The owner of a 2008 Dodge Ram said she went out at around 1 p.m. to warm up her vehicle. Ten minutes later, police said she saw two teens, one Hispanic and one black, enter her vehicle and drive away.

While en route to the victim's home, deputies learned that the Dodge Ram had been spotted in the area of Airport Road/Frontage Road in Romeoville. A deputy then spotted the vehicle near Old Renwick Road and Trading Post Lane and attempted to make a traffic stop. Police said the Dodge did not stop for deputies, but spun out and came to rest in a ditch.

The single occupant of the vehicle, the Hispanic male driver, took off on foot, prompting a search of a nearby field and wooded area by deputies, a K-9 unit and Joliet Police.

Police said the driver, a 16-year-old from Romeoville, was found with a loaded 9mm Smith & Wesson semi-automatic handgun on him, as well as a Buick car key and the key to a Jeep.

The boy was taken into custody and transported to the River Valley Juvenile Justice Center after invoking his right to an attorney, according to the sheriff's office.

The teen is charged with motor vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, unlawful use of a weapon and no valid FOID card. He is also being held on two outstanding warrants, police said.

Additional charges may be filed against the teen, according to police. On Jan. 22, a 2004 Buick Park Avenue was stolen from Bloomfield Drive in the Lakewood Falls subdivision. The owner of the vehicle had left it running and unattended for a few minutes to warm it up at around 8 a.m., police said. The Buick was found the next day on Duncan Court in Plainfield.

Deputies did not locate the second person believed to have been in the Dodge Ram on Monday, and are asking anyone with information on the case to call 815-727-8575.

Police also had a warning for residents who might be tempted to warm up their cars on cold days. "The Sheriff's Office is reminding residents not to start your vehicle and leave it unattended!" the sheriff's office said in a news release.

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