Three young Madison teens arrested after stealing from car, fleeing from police
MADISON, Wis. -- (WISC) Three teens were arrested Wednesday night after stealing from an unlocked vehicle at a gas station and fleeing from police, officials said.
An alert citizen called police around 3 p.m. after spotting a young man go into a minivan that was at the gas pumps outside the PDQ store at 7717 Mineral Point Rd., according to a release.
The driver went into pay and the young man was grabbing what he could from the van, the witness told police. The witness provided details about a getaway car, which officers found in the West Towne Mall parking lot with three teenagers inside.
As officers went to pull the vehicle over, the driver sped off, blowing through stop signs and red lights in heavy traffic, according to the release. Officers did not pursue the car, but they eventually found it again and the teens abandoned it on Forward Drive.
The three teens, a 12-year-old and two 14-year-olds, ran away on foot, but were chased down by officers, police said. The teens were in possession of several items that were likely stolen, including a debit card and an Apple iPad.
The teens were also identified as suspects in a theft where a 10-year-old boy had a bag of food and dog treats ripped from his hand as he left the BP gas station at 5445 University Ave. earlier that afternoon, according to the release.
The car the teens were driving was stolen from a driveway on Waterford Road Nov. 18, police said.
All three teens were arrested on tentative charges of operating a motor vehicle without owner’s consent, resisting and obstructing an officer and theft. One of the 14-year-olds was also arrested on a tentative charge of fleeing and eluding.