Las Vegas Teens Steal Car, Flee State, Crash Into Cop In California

Author Shawn Tempesta

July 18th, 2023 11:29 AM

Crashing into a police car with a stolen vehicle is not recommended.

Four Las Vegas area teenagers recently escaped a group home. What are you to do with your new-found freedom? Well if you’re these teens, you’re going to steal a very easy-to-steal car, head to California and crash into the police. Smart.

The Mercury News in the Bay Area reports that the unnamed runaways were spotted by a Palo Alto police officer on Thursday morning. The officer spotted them committing a moving violation — which is your first clue that they are from Las Vegas. When the officer tried to pull over the 2017 Kia Rio, the 15-year-old female driver of the vehicle made a U-turn into the officer’s cruiser. Oh boy.

The chase was on and the Kia Rio, which turned out to be stolen, crashed into a pole shortly after the chase began.

What’s the story with these Las Vegas teens?

According to Palo Alto Police Department, the foursome ran away from a group home in the Las Vegas valley back on Saturday, July 8. They stole the Kia in Nye County and hit the road and eventually the officer. The teens are the 15-year-old female driver, a 14-year-old and two 13-year-old boys.

The driver and one of the boys were taken to the hospital but are expected to be OK.

All the cars occupants are minors, so chances are we won’t learn their identities. We do know they were all arrested and are in Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall facing felonies. The driver is looking at assault with a deadly weapon (the car) along with evading police. She and the boys are also facing possession of stolen property charges.

No word as to who the parents are or what they were in the group home for in the first place. Thankfully everyone involved is (mostly) alright.

This isn’t the first time that Las Vegas teens escaped from a group home and caused public safety issues. In 2022, five teens stole a car and took a “joy ride” to Arizona, according to KSNV. This incident led to Arizona state troopers chasing the five teens, which ended with the teenagers crashing the stolen car and colliding into four other cars. The crash seriously injured one of the teens and left all of them with hefty charges.

Shawn Tempesta is the co-host of Aimee+Shawn on 102.7 VGS in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is also an Emmy award nominated television host. As a content creator for 102.7 VGS, Shawn writes about current events, education, funny and trending stories.

10 Worst Types Of Las Vegas Drivers

Driving in Las Vegas is an adventure. By adventure we mean arguably the worst thing since paper cuts and bleu cheese. Yes, drivers in the valley leave a lot to be desired and today we take them on.

As a driver on Blue Diamond Road nearly every day, I have been witness to, and involved in everything. I was hit by a tractor trailer that decided to plow through me when a light turned green. Oh, and I had a motorcyclist chase me because I had the gall to drive in my lane while he split lanes. (I shook him at the 15 ramp at the Silverton).

Just recently I was picking up my kid from daycare in Southern Highlands. The one lane road I was on has a speed limit of 35 miles per hour. So, as is customary, I drive 40. Please don’t arrest me – but we all know there’s a little wiggle room. A guy in a big RAM truck who looks like he has never used the flatbed once in his life starts riding my ass. I see in the rear view he does the “hand brush”, as to tell me to go faster and risk getting a ticket so this stranger can get to his Napoleon Complex Anonymous meeting faster.

I waved at him. This caused him rage. He flipped me off. I threw a thumbs up. He then… took the next right into his subdivision. The amount of vitriol he had for the fact I wasn’t going fast enough over the speed limit to delay him by approximately four seconds! It’s hysterical.

We’ve all seen the drivers we can’t stand. Multiple times. I tried to list a bunch of them here, but let me know if I missed anything!

The KOM Plateholder Driver

Otherwise known as the “I have double immunity no erasies” driver who thinks just because they have a plate that insinuates they are the child of a Metro employee, they are free to do anything they want. Nope.
The Lane-Splitter

Sure, it’s not legal in Nevada. But that doesn’t stop motorcyclists from cutting between cars, driving over the Botts’ dots and nearly clipping your mirror.
The Compensator

God didn’t give him much to work with. So he bought a muscle car or lifted truck and he takes out his pain on the road, cutting you off, flipping the bird and rolling coal whenever possible.
The No-You-Don't Driver

Sure, you have your directional on. Sure, there’s enough room for you to merge. But Marge, in her large SUV, will have none of it. She accelerates, beeps her horn at you for daring to share a lane with her, and it becomes uncomfortable for everyone.
The Lefty

Yes. The left lane is a lane. It’s called the passing lane. Not the drive 3 under the limit and listen to CCR whilst whistling and tapping your steering wheel lane. Move over.
The Face-Putter-Onner

Honey, your makeup isn’t going to help you if you crash that car. Put the mascara away, flip up the visor, and drive.
The No-Blinker

There is a device in the car that will inform people behind you that you intend to turn. But why use that when you can rely on telepathy.
The Over-Blinker

You took a left about 9 miles ago. Your blinker is still on. The person behind you flashes their beams at you but you pay no mind. You drive blissfully unaware of your surroundings. This is also “The Drive Without Your Lights On Driver”.
The No-Plate Driver

Wait… does… does anyone see this guy? He’s got no plate? Metro are you… why aren’t you pulling him over?! HE JUST CUT THAT LADY OFF?! How are you allowed to drive without plates in Vegas?!
The California Driver

They came here for lower taxes, less traffic and cheaper homes, like many of us did. But they came after us, and now our traffic is worse, homes are unaffordable and… well at least the taxes aren’t there. Yet.