Teens in stolen vehicle arrested after high-speed pursuit in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS — Police said they arrested a 15-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy early Thursday after they tried to outrun police in a stolen vehicle.

Officers noticed a 2009 Chrysler 300 LX traveling north on Sixth Street SW with no license plates and with its bright headlights on, according to a news release.

Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop near 33rd Avenue SW, but the driver refused to stop and led officers on a chase that reached speeds of up to 75 mph on city streets and up 100 mph on eastbound Highway 30.

The pursuit ended when the driver lost control in the 2100 block of C Street SW.

Police said the vehicle had been reported stolen Wednesday from a residence in northeast Cedar Rapids after keys had been left inside the vehicle.

The 15-year-old girl, who was driving, claimed a friend had allowed her to use the vehicle, police said.

She faces charges of second-degree theft, felony eluding, failure to maintain control, speeding, reckless driving, and failure to dim lights. Police said additional traffic charges are pending.

Police said the 16-year-old boy, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was arrested on nine warrants.

The teens’ names were not released because of Iowa’s juvenile confidentiality laws.

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