Teens arrested after car theft, hitting Visalia detective’s car

VISALIA, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – Two teens were arrested in connection with two car thefts after one of them collided with the vehicle of a Visalia detective, the Visalia Police Department said.

Officers say the Tulare Regional Auto Theft Taskforce (TRATT) spotted a stolen red Toyota Camry from Visalia on Monday around 3 p.m.

Detectives followed the vehicle to Crenshaw Street and Victor Court, where they say one of the passengers exited and entered another stolen vehicle, a black Ford Edge, which had not been reported as stolen.

As detectives attempted to stop both vehicles, they say a 16-year-old juvenile exited the red Toyota and fled on foot. The driver of the black For Edge, also a 16-year-old, attempted to run over a detective and collided with his vehicle.

Police say the black Ford Edge became disabled from the collision and the driver was taken into custody without incident. The teen who fled on foot was found hiding in a nearby backyard.

The detective involved in this incident did not sustain any injuries, and officers say both juveniles were arrested on suspicion of multiple counts of thefts, with the driver of the black Ford Edge also on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.

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