Boy, 16, accused of stealing a vehicle in Springfield released to parents

A teenager who allegedly stole an SUV, drove into oncoming traffic in Springfield and then abandoned the vehicle has previously been charged with vehicle theft.

A 16-year-old was found wearing a non-functioning ankle monitor after allegedly stealing a vehicle over the weekend, according to the Springfield Police Department.

So what happened that this time the boy was arrested?

“He met the criteria for incarceration, however, no state correctional facility provided him with the opportunity to be placed in a juvenile detention center, so he was released to his parent,” police said in a news release.

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Although released to his parents, the boy was charged with theft of a motor vehicle, 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 on Oct. 26 around 8 a.m. from the 2500 block of Griffiths Avenue.

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

The allegations come shortly after Springfield Police Chief Ken Scarlette spoke publicly about the impact of closing the detention center Sangamon County Juvenile Detention Center last year.

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“We have minors who become emboldened, who are arrested at gunpoint, who we have to turn around, release back to their guardians and go home, and I think that sets a terrible precedent and a bad signal for what we as citizens should expect in our community,” Scarlette said during the conference last session of the city council.

The Sangamon County Juvenile Detention Center already exists reopening approved once enough staff have been hired to operate the facility.

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

This article originally appeared in the State Journal-Register: Springfield teen arrested and released after allegedly stealing an SUV