13-Year-Old Driver With Drugs, Ammo Arrested With 4 Other Teens: HCSO

HARFORD COUNTY, MD ? A 13-year-old found driving a stolen vehicle along with four other teens involved in two separate vehicle theft cases have been apprehended, officials say.

On May 10 at approximately 1:40 p.m., Harford County sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a stolen white Kia Optima on Harford Square Drive in Edgewood. When deputies tried to stop the vehicle, the driver took off and a police chase ensued that traveled from Harford Square to Sterling Care on Belcamp Garth. The teen suspects abandoned the vehicle and then took off on foot, the sheriff's office reported.

While trying to stop the teens in the stolen vehicle, a deputy's vehicle collided with the Kia Optima causing minor damage to both vehicles. Two suspects, including the 13-year-old driver, both with Baltimore City addresses, were charged and released into the custody of their parents. While searching the stolen vehicle, sheriff's deputies found drugs and two live 9mm rounds, the sheriff's office reported.

Only 29 hours later, on May 11 at approximately 6:32 p.m., deputies received an alert from a license plate reader tipping them off about a stolen vehicle that they traced to Brookside Drive in Edgewood. Sheriff's deputies engaged in a pursuit with the stolen vehicle, which crashed at Route 40 and Joppa Farm Road with another vehicle. The three suspects in the stolen vehicle, all with Baltimore addresses, tried to run off but were apprehended. Two juveniles were remanded into the custody of juvenile services and the third was released to the custody of their parents. During their arrested, deputies recovered a Polymer 80 Glock handgun, a black Glock-style BB gun, drugs and stolen property from other robberies committed outside of Harford County.

?Juvenile motor vehicle theft is a serious problem that not only endangers our communities but also puts the lives of the perpetrators and innocent civilians at risk. We remain proactive in our commitment to combatting such criminal activities and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of Harford County residents," said Harford County Sherriff Jeffrey Gahler.