A high-speed chase on I-45 ended in Montgomery County with the arrest of a 17-year-old suspected of planning additional vehicle thefts, authorities say.
A 17-year-old was taken into custody in Montgomery County following a short pursuit with deputies in a stolen Kia. Investigators later revealed his purported intentions to steal additional vehicles in the vicinity.
On the morning of June 11, deputies from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office were notified about a gray 2017 Kia Soul that had been reported stolen from Irving, Texas. A vehicle was observed heading north on Interstate 45, leading to an attempt to initiate a traffic stop.
The driver chose not to comply and instead sped away, leading to a brief chase. Authorities successfully intercepted the vehicle in the Willis area, leading to the detention of three teenagers.
A 17-year-old, identified as Jamarian Hawkins, has been apprehended and faces charges for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, evading arrest in a car, and possession of a controlled substance. Authorities have identified the two teenage passengers as runaways from Irving, and they have been taken to the Montgomery County Juvenile Detention Facility.
Officials report that the situation extended beyond just the theft of the vehicle. Subsequent inquiries indicated that the teenagers might have journeyed to Montgomery County with plans to pilfer more Kia vehicles. Information collected at the location is currently part of a continuing inquiry, which authorities indicate may result in additional apprehensions and charges.
This situation highlights a concerning pattern across the country: Kia and Hyundai cars are increasingly being targeted by young car thieves, primarily driven by viral online content that shows how to steal them using simple tools easily. Authorities in Texas have issued alerts regarding comparable incidents occurring in various counties.
Montgomery County deputies are collaborating with other law enforcement agencies to investigate potential connections between this group and other vehicle thefts in the area.
