KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Police in Kalamazoo are reporting that two vehicles reported stolen were both recovered in the same day. Three juvenile suspects have been arrested in connection to these cases.
Around 7:30 a.m. Monday, police were called to the 1700 block of Bloomfield Avenue on the first report. The vehicle’s owner had started the vehicle and left it unattended, noticing it was gone shortly after.
The officer investigating the crime informed others of the stolen vehicle and began searching the area for it himself.
Mere minutes after taking the report, the officer saw the stolen vehicle near Washington Avenue and Mills Street. The vehicle fled the scene after an attempted traffic stop was made, causing a pursuit.
After pursuing the vehicle, the juvenile driver crashed into a fence in the area of North Edwards Street and East Kalamazoo Avenue. The driver was apprehended after a brief foot chase and arrested on several charges. The suspect is currently booked at the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home.
Police say no significant property or vehicle damage occurred in this case.
Later on that day, around 3:00 p.m., the same officer involved in the first case saw another stolen vehicle in the area of Miller Road and James Street.
Another traffic stop was attempted, but the second vehicle fled.
The chase ended within a few blocks where the vehicle crashed near Duckett Drive and Flower Street. The juvenile driver and another juvenile passenger fled on foot but were located using a KDPS canine unit. They were lodged at the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home as well.
After interviewing all the suspects in both cases, it was determined that both stolen vehicle cases are connected.
As a result of these cases, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is now reminding citizens to never leave your vehicle running and unattended.
Anyone with further information about these cases asked to contact Kalamazoo Public Safety at (269) 337-8994, or Silent Observer at (269)343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.
