Teens charged in pursuit

Police tried to stop speeding vehicle, later found abandoned

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BROOKINGS – Two 15-year-olds are facing charges after a pursuit Sunday night, according to Brookings Police.

An officer observed a vehicle speeding and committing a stop sign violation and attempted to stop the vehicle at 8:52 p.m. Sunday, Lt. Derrick Powers said.

The officer activated his lights, but the vehicle failed to pull over.

“As it drove around in the general vicinity of this area, it continued to speed and was driving recklessly,” Powers said.

At 8:54 p.m., the officer lost sight of the vehicle in the area of the 600 block of Eighth Street South. He continued to look around and found it a short time later.

“He located the vehicle parked in a parking lot of an apartment complex in this area,” Powers said. “It was unoccupied. It was apparent that the driver had fled the vehicle and the area.”

The officer was able to identify the owner of the vehicle by its registration, which led to his determining the identity of the teen behind the wheel, who is a licensed driver. He also found out there was a passenger in the vehicle, Powers said.

Both the 15-year-olds were contacted.

“The driver is facing several charges to include eluding, reckless driving and fleeing from a police officer,” Powers said.

“The passenger is facing charges for fleeing from a police officer,” he added.

“Both juveniles were turned over to the custody of their parents,” Powers said.