Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) — Two stolen vehicles, a downtown crash, and a police search ended with the arrest of two teens early Wednesday morning. Shortly before midnight on Tuesday, Springfield Police responded to a crash at 5th and Monroe Streets. A red vehicle, which had been reported stolen earlier in the evening, ran a red light and crashed into another car at high speed. The impact wedged both vehicles against the Illinois State Commerce building, leaving one woman critically injured.

Surveillance footage showed the occupants of the stolen vehicle running from the scene and getting in a black car. The injured woman was rushed to HSHS St. John’s Hospital, where her condition was later upgraded from life-threatening to stable, according to Springfield police.

At 2:25 a.m., another stolen vehicle was spotted near MacArthur Boulevard and South Grand Avenue. Police observed two males running from the car on foot. A search led to the arrest of two juveniles, ages 15 and 17. Police report the teens were carrying tools commonly associated with vehicle theft.

They were processed through the Sangamon County Juvenile Center but released to their guardians with ankle monitors due to a lack of space in detention facilities.

Springfield police remind residents to lock their cars, avoid leaving valuables or keys inside, and consider anti-theft devices such as steering wheel locks and GPS trackers.