A 17-year-old is on the run after being charged with stealing a car in the West End in the early morning of Saturday, September 19.
The suspect, who was from out of town visiting friends, was followed for a half mile by the owner of the car, who held him until police arrived, according to a search warrant affidavit.
The juvenile was processed through juvenile services at the Alexandria courthouse, according to police.
“We don’t know where he is,” Alexandria Police spokesman Lt. Courtney Ballantine told ALXnow.
Ballantine said that a runaway notice that was released on September 21 was later rescinded.
At around 1:20 a.m. on September 19, the owner of a silver Toyota Highlander reported to police that his car, which had been stolen two hours prior, just drove past his residence. The owner reported that he was waiting for police to arrive when he saw the suspect walk down the road, and then minutes later saw the same suspect driving down the street in his car, according to the affidavit.
The owner, who is a federal law enforcement officer, got into another one of his cars and followed the suspect for a half mile until he stopped in the 5800 block of Quantrell Avenue.
The victim then “pulled up across from the stolen vehicle, observed the same Black male in a black hooded sweatshirt exit his stolen vehicle, then issued him commands to lay on the ground,” according to the affidavit.
The car owner kept the suspect in custody until police arrived.
The suspect admitted to police that he was hanging out with friends and stole the car when one them gave him the keys, according to police.
