MIDDLETOWN TWP, PA – A juvenile suspect is in custody after a tense early-morning foot chase through a residential neighborhood linked to multiple vehicle thefts.
Police responded around dawn Monday to Apple Valley Drive after residents reported someone rummaging through parked cars.
Officers spotted a male matching the suspect’s description on nearby Flint Road, where he fled into the woods before being caught following a short pursuit and struggle.
Key Points
- A local juvenile was arrested after police responded to a vehicle theft call on Apple Valley Drive.
- The suspect fled from officers and was captured in a Flint Road backyard.
- Investigators believe he is connected to several recent car thefts in the same area.
Investigation links teen to multiple thefts
According to Middletown Township Police, the suspect was found to have ties to prior vehicle thefts in the neighborhood, including a recently recovered stolen car on Styer Road. Officers also discovered the juvenile was on an active phone call with another male during his arrest, suggesting potential coordination with others involved in similar crimes.
Officers pursue and apprehend suspect
The chase began after officers arrived to investigate reports of a suspicious person moving between vehicles. The teen ran into a wooded area behind Flint Road, but police quickly contained the area and apprehended him in a nearby backyard. A brief struggle ensued before officers successfully took him into custody without serious injuries reported.
Police urge residents to check vehicles
The suspect, who lives locally, was transported to the Bucks County Youth Center in Doylestown pending juvenile proceedings. Investigators are asking residents in the area to review home security footage and report any missing property or suspicious activity from the night of the incident.
Anyone with information or who believes they were a victim of theft is encouraged to contact Sergeant Steve Andrews at sandrews@mtpd.org.