13-year-old accused of leading police chase in stolen vehicle in Elkhart

ELKHART, Ind. - A 13-year-old led police on a chase Saturday morning in a vehicle he stole, according to the Elkhart Police Department.

Just before 1 a.m., the vehicle’s owner told police her car was taken from a Main Street parking lot sometime between 6:40 p.m. on Friday and 12:40 a.m. on Saturday. Her wallet was also in the vehicle at the time it was stolen.

Around 4:30 a.m., an officer looking for the vehicle spotted it on 2nd Street.

The officer pulled over the driver, but when he ordered him to shut the vehicle off, the driver, later identified as the 13-year-old, drove away, according to reports.

The chase ended when the driver lost control of the stolen vehicle and crashed into a business in the 1700 block of Fulton Street.

The driver was taken to the hospital for minor injuries.

The Juvenile Detention Center was called but said they would not hold the teen.