Teen Who Crashed Stolen SUV into Police Cruiser Identified

Photo byHarrisonburg Police Department

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Two teens were arrested after crashing a stolen vehicle into a police cruiser on Saturday. .

According to a media release from the Harrisonburg Police Department (HPD), the incident occurred August 24, 2024.

At approximately 9 p.m., a silver Toyota SUV, reported stolen out of Charlottesville, was spotted at the Skyline Village Shopping Center near East Market Street.

When officers began to block the shopping center’s exits, the driver of the vehicle attempted to flee, but instead hit an unoccupied vehicle and then crashed into a police cruiser.

Photo byHarrisonburg Police Department

Both of the vehicle’s occupants attempted to flee on foot, but were arrested after a short pursuit.

The driver, a 16-year-old male, has been charged with two counts of felony hit and run, possessing a stolen firearm, felony eluding, felony receiving stolen property, and obstruction.

His 18-year-old passenger has been charged with carrying a concealed weapon and possessing a stolen firearm. He has been identified as Diquan Mareas Grooms of Charlottesville.

Grooms was released on a $2,500 unsecured bond and is due to appear in Harrisonburg/Rockingham General District Court on September 8.

According to police, no one was injured in Saturday’s incident.