Springfield, IL  (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – A 16-year-old, arrested for vehicle theft and reckless driving, was released to his parents due to a lack of available space in state juvenile detention facilities. Springfield Police responded Saturday morning to a report of a stolen vehicle in the 2500 block of Griffiths Avenue.

Officers later located the stolen 2022 GMC Acadia, which was seen speeding and driving into oncoming traffic near Cook Street and McCreery Avenue. The vehicle was abandoned on railroad tracks under the Clear Lake overpass near 19th and Washington Streets, where the juvenile was observed fleeing the scene. Police apprehended the teen in the 1700 block of E. Reynolds Street.

At the time of arrest, the teen was wearing a non-functioning ankle monitor from a previous vehicle theft. He now faces multiple charges, including motor vehicle theft, theft of property, aggravated unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated fleeing and eluding, criminal damage to property and reckless driving. Although he met the criteria for juvenile incarceration, the unavailability of placement at any state facility led to his release to a parent.