A 15-year-old boy in Des Moines is now in custody following a dangerous incident involving a stolen car and a police chase. The event unfolded on Thursday afternoon when Des Moines police recognized a stolen 2024 Nissan Kicks in the vicinity of Kennedy Drive around 5 p.m. Upon noticing the vehicle, officers tried to initiate a stop, but the driver accelerated away, leading to a brief pursuit.
In an effort to bring the situation to a safe conclusion, police executed a PIT (Precision Immobilization Technique) maneuver, which successfully stopped the vehicle in the 3200 block of East Douglas Avenue. However, the maneuver caused the car to collide with the curb and roll onto its roof. Demonstrating swift action, officers extracted the driver from the overturned vehicle as the Des Moines Fire Department responded to manage a fire that erupted within the engine compartment.
Fortunately, the teen was treated on-site by medics, and after receiving care, he was placed into police custody. He is now facing multiple charges and will be referred to juvenile court. This incident underscores the risks associated with vehicle theft and reckless driving, especially among youth, highlighting the need for preventative measures and community support to steer young people away from such dangerous behavior.
The community can find hope in these events by emphasizing education and outreach to deter youth from similar actions in the future.