Nashville Police say a Centralia male juvenile led them on a high-speed chase after allegedly stealing a car in Centralia late Friday night.
Nashville Police say that, with the car last seen traveling southbound on US 51 into Washington County, they deployed numerous officers in the area of I-64 near the Nashville exit. A short time later, the vehicle was spotted traveling eastbound heading towards the Nashville exit. The driver accelerated and fled after the traffic stop began.
A Nashville officer west of the exit was able to set up stop sticks before the vehicle passed him. The stolen vehicle struck the stop sticks with its driver ‘s-side tire, causing it to slowly deflate. The chase continued several more miles at speeds well over 100 miles per hour before stopping in the median just west of the Okawville exit, where four juveniles from the Centralia area were detained.
A search of the vehicle turned up a loaded Glock handgun with an extended magazine, burglary tools, controlled substances, and additional items believed to be stolen.
Due to the complex circumstances, all suspects were transferred to the Centralia Police Department for further investigation and charges.
Nashville Police charged the juvenile with aggravated fleeing and eluding, speeding over 35 miles per hour, improper lane usage, failure to signal, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a controlled substance, aggravated unlawful use of a firearm, unlawful possession of firearm ammunition, unlawful possession of debit cards, possession of burglary tools, and armed violence.
One of the juvenile passengers was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle.
An investigation continues by Centralia and Nashville Police. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office assisted during the chase.
