An auto-theft investigation barely got started before the car was involved in a hit-and-run crash just blocks away.
Sunday afternoon, law enforcement spoke with a 43-year-old individual who reported his 2014 Hyundai Elantra, valued at $5,200, was missing from its assigned parking stall at his residence near 19th and ‘H’ Street.
While the officer was taking the report, another officer was dispatched to a hit-and-run crash two blocks away on 19th and ‘J’ Street. The responding officer found the Elantra, which had collided with a parked car. Witnesses told police they saw three individuals flee from the crash and hop into a black Pontiac.
Lincoln Police Captain Todd Kocian says a short time later, officers located the black Pontiac unoccupied near 21st and ‘N’ Street. Subsequently, they located four individuals near 23rd and ‘O’ Street. Among them were a 35-year-old female, a 12-year-old male, a 13-year-old female, and a 13-year-old male.
Ultimately officers arrested the 13-year-old male for auto theft, who was then lodged at the Youth Detention Center. Additionally, he was referred and released for leaving the scene of a property damage crash.