Dashcam shows Clearcreek Township police chase a stolen vehicle with teens inside before crashing
By: -----
A nearby township is warning residents of car break-ins and thefts after a countywide chase Saturday morning.
A Clearcreek Township resident called police at 2:30 a.m. saying there were suspicious teens in their neighborhood.
Once police arrived, the teens took off all the way to West Dayton, resulting in a chase that required aid from other agencies.
You may never believe that the chase began in such a quiet neighborhood, however, Clearcreek Township is seeing an increase in car thefts and break-ins.
"On Saturday morning we had a car with two subjects in it, and they were just out walking around, looking into cars and acting suspiciously,” said Lt. Wallace Stacy, Clearcreek Township Police Department.
So when Clearcreek Township Police arrived at scene, they found the suspect's car and things quickly escalated.
“As soon as we attempted to stop it, it took off and fled, we chased it up I-75 up into the West Dayton area, the pursuit ended when the vehicle crashed into a parked car,” Stacy said.
They arrested the driver and passenger in that car, both are teenagers.
Stacy says that these teens are associated with a group in Dayton and continue to come to southern suburbs attempting to steal cars or break in.
“This group sends young people down, usually 15, 16 years of age. They go around and look for open garage doors, they pull door handles on cars to see if they find something unlocked,” Stacy said.
We spent all afternoon in Clearcreek Township and Springboro speaking with residents and business owners.
No one felt comfortable going on camera, but they told us that this is a scary reminder to keep their car doors locked.
One local business owner says that he wishes there was stricter prosecution for teens who are convicted of car thefts and break-ins.
Until that happens, Stacy says there are ways residents can be vigilant.
"Remove your valuables from your car, take your keys and your key fobs inside, lock your car,” Stacy said.
Stacy also wants Clearcreek Township residents to know that you should call whenever you feel something isn’t right in your neighborhood, because it’s better to be safe than sorry.
The two teens involved in that chase were taken to the Warren County Juvenile Justice Center.