13-Year-Old Arrested After Stolen Van Pursuit in Rockford

A teenager from Rockford has been arrested and charged with allegedly fleeing from police in a stolen vehicle on Wednesday night (2/11).

Stolen Vehicle Located by SCOPE Officers

According to the press release, officers from the Rockford Police Department's SCOPE (Specialized Community Oriented Police Enforcement) unit located a minivan reported stolen out of Sycamore, Illinois Wednesday evening.

Around 6:50 pm, officers identified the vehicle in Rockford near 20th Street and 23rd Avenue on the city's southeast side. When attempting to move in on the vehicle, the driver attempted to flee at a high rate of speed, according to the report.

StarChase Technology Deployed

During the pursuit, Rockford Police deployed the StarChase tracking system, a GPS-based tool designed to monitor fleeing vehicles without engaging in prolonged high-speed pursuits.

The system was able to track the minivan to the 3100 block of 12th Avenue, just south of Rockford East High School, where the driver exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.

After a brief chase, officers took the suspect into custody without further incident.

Juvenile Charges Filed

Rockford Police identified the driver of the vehicle as a 13-year-old Rockford male who was charged with aggravated fleeing to elude, possession of a stolen vehicle, driving without a license, and resisting arrest.

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The juvenile male was being held at the Winnebago County Juvenile Detention Center, and according to the press release, the charges are accusations, and the juvenile is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

The investigation remains ongoing, and Rockford Police ask that anyone with information about this incident should call 815-966-2900, or to submit an anonymous tip, call Rockford Area Crime Stoppers at 815-963-7867.