Boy, 16, charged with theft of vehicle in Springfield, released to parent

A teen who allegedly stole an SUV and drove into oncoming traffic in Springfield before abandoning the vehicle has previously been charged with stealing a vehicle.

According to Springfield police, a 16-year-old was found after allegedly stealing a car last weekend with a non-functioning ankle monitor on following a previous car theft.

What happened this time when the boy was arrested?

“He met the criteria for incarceration, but placement was not possible at any state juvenile facility, so he was released to a parent,” police said in a news release.

More: Two Springfield teens charged with murder of 17-year-old boy

Despite being released to his parents, the boy was charged with motor vehicle theft, theft of property, aggravated unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated fleeing and eluding, criminal damage to property and reckless driving.

The new charges were filed after police said the boy stole a GMC Acadia from the 2500 block of Griffiths Avenue around 8 a.m. on Oct. 26.

The SUV was then found abandoned on the railroad tracks under the Clearlake overpass near 19th Street and Washington Street and a boy was seen running from the vehicle, Springfield police said. He was arrested in the 1700 block of East Reynolds Street.

The charges come not long after Springfield Police Chief Ken Scarlette spoke publicly about the impact of the police department’s closure Sangamon County Juvenile Detention Center last year.

More: Former shooting deputy Sonya Massey has been transferred to the Macon County Jail

“We have young people who are becoming increasingly emboldened, who are being arrested with firearms, who we have to turn around and release back to their guardians and go back home, and I think this sets a terrible precedent and sends a bad message for what we as citizens do. expect in our community,” Scarlette said during a meeting recent city council meeting.

The Sangamon County Juvenile Detention Center has been approved to reopen once sufficient personnel have been hired to operate the facility.

Tom Ackerman covers breaking news and trending news, along with general news for the Springfield State Journal-Register. He can be reached at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Springfield teen arrested and released after alleged theft of SUV