Crime & Safety

Teen Stole Car to Get Out of the Cold, Police Say

The boy was able to take off with the vehicle because its owner left the keys inside while meeting with an insurance agent, Joliet Police Cmdr. Al Roechner said.

A 14-year-old boy told police he wanted to get out of the cold when he stole a car in which the owner had left the keys inside while meeting with an insurance agent, Joliet Police Cmdr. Al Roechner said.

The teen told police he took the car at about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday from the parking lot at 1350 W. Jefferson St., Roechner said. He struck another vehicle as he drove out of the lot, drove the car around for about five hours and then abandoned it on Kinsey Avenue, on the edge of West Park, he said.

As the teen and a friend walked away from the area, they were spotted by Rockdale police officer who knew them and decided to ask them what they were doing, Roechner said. The boy eventually admitted to taking the car, and Joliet police picked him up at the Rockdale Police Department.

The suspect, charged with motor vehicle theft, is being held at the River Valley Juvenile Detention Center in Joliet.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.