LIVERMORE, Calif. — A 14-year-old boy is accused of leading Livermore police on a high speed chase in a stolen car, then jumping out of the still-moving vehicle with a 15-year-old passenger and letting it roll into an occupied apartment building early Tuesday morning, according to police and multiple media reports.
Investigators say it is the second time in just five days that the same teenager has fled officers in a stolen vehicle.
What Police Say Happened
According to Livermore police, the latest incident started shortly after 1 a.m. Tuesday, November 18, when officers spotted a car traveling eastbound on I-580 near El Charro Road that matched the description of a vehicle reported stolen the day before.
Officers followed as the car exited the freeway onto Isabel Avenue and tried to pull it over near Jack London Boulevard and Murrieta Boulevard. Instead of stopping, the driver allegedly hit the gas, starting a pursuit through city streets. Police say the stolen car reached roughly twice the posted speed limit at times and blew through stop signs as it headed into town.
At one point, officers briefly lost sight of the vehicle. A short time later, they found it again parked at the Leahy Square Apartments complex on Leahy Way.
When officers moved in, the driver allegedly took off again. Moments later, police say both the 14-year-old driver and a 15-year-old passenger bailed out of the car while it was still rolling. With no one behind the wheel, the vehicle continued forward and slammed into the side of an apartment building in the complex.
Teens Quickly Arrested, Face Multiple Charges
Officers detained both teens soon after they jumped from the moving car. Police later confirmed the vehicle had been reported stolen the previous day.
Both juveniles were arrested on suspicion of:
- Possession of a stolen vehicle
- Evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for public safety
- Vandalism or property damage related to the crash into the apartment building
Because the suspects are minors, authorities are not publicly releasing their names. The case is expected to move through the juvenile justice system.
Second Chase In Less Than a Week
Livermore police emphasized that this was not the first time the 14-year-old has allegedly fled officers in a stolen car. According to a department statement shared with media outlets and on social media, Tuesday’s crash was the second such pursuit involving the teen in just five days.
