Runaway teen stopped in stolen vehicle at 2 a.m., deputies say

The following is a news release from the Caribou County Sheriff’s Office.

At about 2 a.m. on Friday, the same deputy observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on US Hwy 30. The deputy attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle and the driver accelerated away at speeds up to 130 mph in a 65-mph zone, and turned off his headlights. A brief pursuit ensued and the driver tried to lose the pursuing deputies by pulling into a private drive near the Hwy 30 and Lund Rd intersection.

The driver then fled the vehicle on foot.

Bannock County deputies and Soda Springs officers responded to assist in the search of the driver. The driver was later located on Hwy 30 by Bannock County deputies.

The investigation revealed that the driver, a 16-year-old male juvenile, was a runaway with a detention order out of Bannock County. Deputies also learned that the vehicle he was driving had been stolen out of Montpelier.

The juvenile was taken into custody for multiple offenses including grand theft, eluding law enforcement and the detention order. The juvenile was also charged with multiple traffic infractions.

The Caribou County Sheriff’s Office is participating with law enforcement agencies across the State of Idaho this weekend to detect and deter distracted driving. The Caribou County Sheriff’s Office and its dedicated deputies are committed to ensuring the roadways within Caribou County are safe for our residents and visitors to travel on.