Car theft is on the rise across the country, and the problem extends to more than those with the best new cars. This is because all vehicles, regardless of age and nameplate, are at risk. Recently, a juvenile was caught stealing a GMC vehicle, and of course, he initially tried to evade the traffic stop. Unfortunately, this wasn’t his first instance of stealing cars. 

This 16-year-old has multiple instances of car theft after sealing a GMC vehicle

Reports say that over a million people were victims of car theft in 2023. Sadly, this trend seems to be rising for this year. Now, according to WCIA, a person in Springfield, Illinois, reported that their 2022 GMC Acadia had been stolen. Later that day, police officers observed the GMC vehicle in the area being driven at a high rate of speed. Naturally, they tried to conduct a traffic stop. 

According to the report, not only was the person driving the SUV speeding, but he was going against oncoming traffic. Eventually, the car theft perpetrator came to a stop on a railroad track. Sadly, the story didn’t end here as he then tried to escape the police officers on foot. Of course, they eventually caught and arrested the 16-year-old male driver. Upon apprehending him, police discovered he was wearing an ankle monitor after previously being arrested for car theft. 

Now, the juvenile is facing multiple preliminary charges related to his second car theft and evading police. The charges include motor vehicle theft, aggravated unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated fleeing and eluding, and reckless driving. Notably, he was old enough to be detained, but there was no space at the juvenile facility. Police officers released him to his parents because of this.