Teens steal car, drive recklessly as police forced to just sit and watch

Minneapolis, MN – A group of teenagers stole a car in Minneapolis and drove it recklessly in front of an occupied police vehicle, prompting no immediate action from officers due to departmental policy, authorities confirmed.

The incident, which occurred earlier this week, saw the teens weaving through traffic and engaging in dangerous maneuvers, seemingly attempting to provoke a response from the nearby police car. However, the officers did not pursue, adhering to strict guidelines that prohibit vehicle chases unless specific criteria are met.

Teens steel car in Minneapolis and drive it recklessly in front of an occupied police car. Police watch.

The chief put out a statement yesterday on this:
"The police department’s policy does not allow for a vehicle pursuit simply because the car is stolen. The car would have… pic. /xqJy6vo5ul
— Mrgunsngear (@Mrgunsngear) May 8, 2025

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara addressed the situation in a statement released yesterday, explaining the department’s stance.

“The police department’s policy does not allow for a vehicle pursuit simply because the car is stolen,” O’Hara said.

He clarified that pursuits are only authorized in cases involving violent crimes, such as carjackings involving force, firearms, or other serious offenses.

O’Hara emphasized that engaging in a chase in this scenario could escalate risks to public safety. “If an individual is trying to just bait the officer into a pursuit, it’s not going to get safer once the cop starts chasing them,” he said. “The cops did their job. They had zero discretion in that case.”

The chief also highlighted the broader context, noting that even if the teens were apprehended, the outcome might not justify the danger.

“It is just not worth the risk of endangering everyone’s lives, especially if, at the end result, even if no one’s hurt, we arrest a couple juveniles, we bring them downtown, and they’re immediately released,” O’Hara stated. “It is completely senseless.”

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.