By Jim Hagerty
Reporter

ROCKFORD — A girl reported as a runway from Freeport was among two teens arrested in connection with an incident involving a stolen car Monday.

According to law enforcement officials, Rockford Housing Authority Police were patrolling in the area of School and Avon streets at around 6 p.m. June 4 when they observed a Ford Taurus driving recklessly. The officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop but the driver fled and eluded officers until reaching the 300 block of Oakley Avenue, where the car crashed into an abandoned house.

The driver and passenger then fled on foot. With the help of neighbors, officers located two suspects, both 14-year-old girls, and took them into custody. Officers learned the driver was a reported runaway from Freeport, and that the car was reported stolen to Freeport Police.

The driver and passenger were treated for minor injuries at a local hospital before being booked into the Winnebago County Juvenile Detention Center. The driver has been charged with unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, hit-and-run, fleeing to elude, no driver’s license, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident.

The passenger is charged with criminal trespass to a vehicle.

The names of the suspects are not being released. R.