Aurora police say 14-year-old crashed stolen vehicle, two people in custody

Editor's note: Police initially reported that the suspect is nine years old. His age has been updated below.

Aurora police are investigating after they say a 14-year-old boy was driving a stolen vehicle and crashed on Saturday afternoon.

According to the Aurora Police Department, the boy was driving a stolen vehicle southbound on Peoria Street and fleeing a police pursuit. When the driver attempted to turn east onto 11th Street, the vehicle allegedly struck a tree.

Officers said four people were inside the vehicle, two of whom they say tried to run away on foot. Both of those people have reportedly been taken into custody. Their ages have not yet been released.

APD confirmed that the 14-year-old driving the vehicle was injured in the crash, but they do not know to what extent. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

In an update Saturday evening, police said the suspect initially told them he was nine years old. They later discovered he was 14. They added that the boy also has a "slew" of warrants in addition to the charges he could face in connection with the crash.

The Aurora Police Department issued this statement on Monday morning:

The Aurora Police Department is deeply concerned following incidents Friday and Saturday involving teenagers driving stolen vehicles.

These are not situations that anyone – particularly parents – should take lightly. We urge adults to have direct conversations with their children about the serious dangers and lasting impacts of this behavior. These actions put not only the individuals involved at risk, but also everyone else on our roadways and in our community. Juveniles must also be held accountable for their choices, as these actions can result in criminal charges that affect someone well into adulthood.

What we saw this weekend is inexcusable. A 14-year-old with four active warrants leading officers on a pursuit in a stolen vehicle is unacceptable and highlights the urgent need for community awareness and involvement. We are one piece of an effort to turn these lives around for the better. We all must act together now.

There are many community options that can help a family – we'd like to share one of our programs: Through the Aurora SAVE program, we work proactively to intervene before situations escalate. Aurora SAVE uses a proven approach that brings together community members, law enforcement and outreach partners to connect directly with individuals at risk of engaging in violent or dangerous behavior. These efforts may include call-ins, face-to-face meetings or custom notifications, all designed to redirect individuals toward safer, more positive paths.

If you have a child, or know a teen who may benefit from additional support, we encourage you to learn more about the Aurora SAVE program at: https://www.auroragov.org/residents/youth_resources/youth_violence_prevention_program/s_a_v_e___standing_against_violence_every_day_