KENT COUNTY — Five teenagers are now in a juvenile detention center after deputies say the group lead them on a chase in a stolen car.
On Tuesday, the Kent County Sheriff's Office provided more details about the chase, including dashcam video.
It all started on Monday night, just after 9 p.m., when deputies spotted a stolen Kia in the area of 60th Street SE and Kalamazoo Avenue.
"They activated their lights. Unfortunately, the vehicle didn't pull over," said Undersheriff Chuck DeWitt.
At first, deputies decided not to chase the car because streets were still busy at the time.
Undersheriff DeWitt says it's a matter of weighing the responsibility to pursue stolen vehicles against public safety concerns. "It's our responsibility to take action, but to do so in a manner which is safe."
However, just four hours later, around 1:15 a.m., another deputy spotted the Kia again, this time near 60th Street SE and Eastern Avenue. Deputies then gave chase.
"The traffic volume was significantly less, the dangers were not present that had originally been there. And therefore the decision was, we're going to continue to pursue," said the undersheriff.
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The sheriff’s office says the Kia ran over spike strips, sped south on Division Avenue, and drove behind the Grand Motel.
The vehicle eventually stopped on Regal Avenue where two 15-year-old boys, two 17-year-old boys and one 16-year-old girl, all from the Grand Rapids area, were taken into custody.
The Kia had recently been stolen out of Jenison, deputies say.
"Juveniles and stolen cars are, they're just not a good combination at all," said Undersheriff DeWitt. "Just many times they haven't gone through driver's training, and yet they're out on the streets."
The Kent County Sheriff’s Office says they continue to see an uptick in stolen vehicles. Dangerous driving, stolen vehicles used in additional crimes, and the young age of the individuals involved are common factors, according to the sheriff’s office.
"Unfortunately, stolen cares are oftentimes crimes of opportunity," he said.
In 2022, over 400 cars were reported as stolen out of Kent County. 112 of those cars were Kias or Hyundais.
So far this year, 109 cars have been swiped, with 24 reported as Kias or Hyundais.
"The situation is different every time. There are common themes, however, that we do try to avoid, such as leaving your vehicle unattended and running, not locking your car," says Undersheriff DeWitt.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, about 11% of all cars stolen each year are taken because keys are left inside the vehicle.
However, officials say Hyundais and Kias are targeted because they can be hot-wired from inside, sometimes without a key in the ignition. In February, both automobile companies released software patches for vehicle owners, which will make the cars much harder to steal.
Deputies say the incident remains open and will be reviewed by the prosecutor’s office.
