Teens held for car theft, other crimes

PALESTINE – Three teenagers were placed under arrest on Sunday after driving a vehicle stolen from Jacksonville. According to our news partner KETK and the Palestine Police Department, officers on Sunday observed a vehicle matching the description of a vehicle recently reported stolen being driven near North Sycamore and West Pine Streets.

While the officers attempted to make a traffic stop, the driver sped off, prompting a police chase. The vehicle pursuit ended after the vehicle struck a curb, leaving it disabled.

The suspect, who was identified as a minor, and two other teenage boys proceeded to exit the car and attempted to leave the scene on foot. Two of the boys were located and arrested shortly after the incident on Sunday, while the third was taken into custody on Monday morning.

During a search of the suspect’s vehicle, officers reported finding items that had been stolen from a local gun shop, along with a firearm that was reported stolen out of Houston.

After being taken into custody, all three suspects were taken to a juvenile detention facility and charged with the following offenses.
*Engaging in organized criminal activity
*Burglary of a building
*Evading arrest/detention with a vehicle
*Evading arrest/detention
*Theft of firearm
*Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle

The investigation remains ongoing, and due to the age of the suspects, their identities will not be released.