Teens charged in stolen car case released from detention facility

Vehicle locks for certain Hyundais available in city

Four Lorain teens who were arrested after reportedly stealing a vehicle Feb. 10, have been released from the Lorain County detention facility.

Each of the teens is 13 years old; They were charged with juvenile delinquency by reason of grand theft of a motor vehicle and obstructing official business, according to Denise Whiting, administrative assistant of the Lorain County Domestic Relations Court

One of the boys additionally is facing a juvenile delinquency charge of possessing criminal tools, Whiting said.

More charges are possible as the Lorain Police Department continues to investigate a rash of car thefts in the area, officials said.

The boys were taken to the Lorain County Juvenile Detention facility Feb. 10 after police apprehended them following a short foot chase.

The boys are accused of stealing a 2021 Toyota Camry from the Pure Gas station, 228 E. Erie Ave., at 10:28 p.m., after a 52-yearold man parked the vehicle at the gasoline pump and entered the store.

The court allowed all four suspects to be released Feb. 23 from the detention facility, Whiting said.

Three of the boys were scheduled to attend a pretrial Feb. 23 while the fourth boy is scheduled to appear for his pretrial March 2, Whiting said.

Magistrate Stephen Blake is presiding over the cases, Whiting added.

The Lorain Police Department announced Feb. 20 its participation in a program which provides residents with an anti-theft locking device for certain Hyundai vehicle models which recently have been targeted by car thieves.

The Police Department recognized Mayor Jack Bradley and Councilwoman-at-Large Mary Springowski for bringing the program to the department’s attention in a Facebook post.

The Police Department’s post also gave thanks to North Ridgeville Police Chief Michael Freeman “for sharing his resources and information so that we can bring this program to our residents in Lorain.”

To receive a locking device, contact Lt. Jacob Morris at Lorain Police Department at Jacob_Morris@cityoflorain.org.

Residents must be given an appointment date and time via email prior to claiming the locks.

The program includes one lock per qualifying vehicle.