A theft of a vehicle and juvenile joyride is short lived due to the hard work of Stafford County’s finest.

On January 3rd, at approximately 7:05 p.m. Deputy J.C. Thomas responded to #1 Laundromat located at 418 Garrisonville Road for a report of a larceny. The victim advised she drove to the business and entered it. When she did, a male quickly jumped into the driver’s seat of the still running vehicle and began to take off. Little did he know; the victim’s teenage sister was still in the vehicle. While the vehicle was still in motion, the suspect forced the passenger out of the vehicle before taking off onto Garrisonville Road.

The magic of modern technologies helped determine where the vehicle was heading. The victims had their phones still within the vehicle and were able to track their locations and provide deputies live updates on the suspect’s escape route. The phones eventually stopped in the 500 block of Garrison Woods Drive. Deputies quickly responded to the area and located the vehicle, as well as, detained the individuals surrounding it.

A 15-year-old was identified as the suspect in the case. Juvenile Intake was contacted, but elected not to detain the suspect. He was released to a parent and faces charges of grand larceny, credit card theft, petit larceny and conspiracy to commit a felony.

The victims were able to collect all their belongings, including their phones, which were located by Sergeant B.U. Demirci and his K-9 partner Titan. Amazing work by everyone involved in helping the victim’s get their vehicle and property back.