URBANA, Ill. – University of Illinois Police officers located four juveniles in possession of burglary tools and a stolen vehicle early Friday morning.

At approximately 4:30 a.m. on Friday, July 18, a UIPD officer was on patrol near Orchard Downs in response to a recent string of attempted vehicle thefts. While on patrol, the officer observed a blue Hyundai Elantra traveling south on Race Street. The vehicle began to turn into Orchard Downs but changed direction and continued on Race Street after the occupants noticed the nearby police vehicle.

Earlier that morning, Urbana Police had responded to a burglary to a motor vehicle (BMV) in progress. The suspect vehicle was a blue Hyundai Elantra.

Urbana Police shared information about the suspect vehicle over the radio, and the UIPD officer recognized that the car on Race Street matched the description. The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but before a stop could be made, the vehicle crashed into a construction site near Windsor Road.

Additional UIPD and UPD officers responded to the area and located four juveniles who had fled from the crash. While searching the area and the vehicle’s flight path, UIPD officers located multiple burglary tools. Officers also learned that the vehicle had been stolen from an apartment complex in Urbana earlier that morning.

One juvenile was referred to the Youth Assessment Center. The other three were released to their guardians.

This incident highlights the ongoing cooperation between the University of Illinois Police Department and the Urbana Police Department in addressing vehicle-related crimes in the area.