VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - Three 14-year-olds were arrested after Valdosta Police (VPD) said they stole two vehicles and tried to run from officers during a traffic stop.

Police said one juvenile was charged with the following:

• Motor vehicle theft (felony) - 2 counts
• Obstruction of an officer (misdemeanor)
• Other traffic charges

The other two teenagers were charged as parties to the crime of motor vehicle theft (felony).

The Department of Juvenile Justice authorized the teens’ release to their parents, VPD said.

According to VPD, officers responded on the morning of May 29 to two separate reports of stolen vehicles. Around 6 a.m., a victim in the 1400 block of Sustella Avenue reported her Nissan Rogue was stolen from in front of her home. Police said the victim told officers the vehicle had been left unlocked with the keys inside.

Around 8:30 a.m., another victim reported her Hyundai Elantra was stolen from the 1500 block of Base Street. Police said the victim had both sets of keys, and officers did not see signs that the vehicle had been forced open.

Police entered both vehicles into the FLOCK license plate reader database, and later that afternoon, a detective received an alert that the Nissan Rogue was traveling on Baytree Road, the department said.

Officers reportedly located the Rogue and conducted a traffic stop after it turned onto the Valdosta State University campus. The driver ran from the vehicle but was apprehended, according to VPD. Two other occupants were taken into custody without incident, according to police.

Detectives contacted the juveniles’ parents, who met them at the police department and cooperated with the investigation, VPD said. Investigators also found a key fob for the stolen Hyundai in one teen’s possession. Officials recovered the Elantra after getting its location from another teen, according to police.

Valdosta officials said they are continuing to investigate other theft-from-vehicle cases that these teens may have been involved with. Officials said additional charges could follow.

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