Teens lead police on high speed chase

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Sunday, July 27, 2008

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By KERANA TODOROV
Register Staff Writer

On Friday night in Napa, two teens suspected of stealing alcohol from Lawler’s Liquors on the 2200 block of Jefferson Street led police in a vehicle pursuit to North Napa, where they crashed into a tree near Redwood Road and Dry Creek Road, Napa Police reported Saturday.

The 14- and 15-year-old boys were not injured in the crash, police said.

The two teens were arrested and booked at Napa Juvenile Hall in connection with the car theft and burglary.

48 comment(s)

pernodboi wrote on Jul 26, 2008 5:01 PM:

" My goodness!

There are going to be some really mad parents in town! "

mickey2756 wrote on Jul 26, 2008 5:18 PM:

" Not only should the parents be mad but excuse me driving under age, and stealing alcohol,I'd like to know where who they stole the car from? "

Napa_Native wrote on Jul 26, 2008 5:20 PM:

" Now I'm no legal expert but if I read the article correctly these kids are looking at driving without a license, theft, minor in possession of alcohol, possession of stolen property, wreckless driving, speeding, failure to yield to a police officer, resisting arrest and I am assuming vehicle theft (even though the article does not state they did) because nobody in their right mind would give a 14 and 15 year old the keys to their car.

In my humble opinion, I think if the parents of these two lit up their behind with a belt, once or twice, instead of giving them a "time out" when they misbehaved, there is a good chance this might not have ever happened.

I am not advocating child abuse. But there is something to be said for a good swat on the keester when it is appropriate. "

newmom wrote on Jul 26, 2008 6:03 PM:

" Maybe they stole the family car. Where were the parents? I bet this was not the first time for these teens. It will be interesting to see how this story unfolds "

109823 wrote on Jul 26, 2008 6:18 PM:

" Heck Napa-Native by the time you were going for swat #2 the kid would have Child Protective Services dialed and on their way. If these two would've had their hands slapped by the ruler in school once or twice maybe this would'nt have happened. But I blame the parents, nowadays they won't let the schools discipline their children and if the schools try the parents support their kids. As long as this continues the inmates will run the assylum. "

crusherfan wrote on Jul 26, 2008 6:21 PM:

" Napa Native, I could not agree more.These kids should get one now but it may be to late. "

Dwayne wrote on Jul 26, 2008 6:24 PM:

" newmom wrote on Jul 26, 2008 6:03 PM:
" ......It will be interesting to see how this story unfolds "

There won't be much to see. They are minors. No pix, no names, and juvenile courts are often closed sessions.

They'll probably wind up in the CYA until they're 18, and graduate as real criminals. "

Amelia wrote on Jul 26, 2008 6:24 PM:

" Who says that the parents gave them timeouts instead of "a good swat on the keester?" Either way it doesn't matter what they did, the kids made the decision to break the law and tried to run. Stupid on their part. "

GregN. wrote on Jul 26, 2008 6:25 PM:

" I saw the aftermath of this last night.

These kid's missed that tree by less than an inch. They were lucky for sure not to be killed. "

Napanee wrote on Jul 26, 2008 6:33 PM:

" I heard this on the scanner. They were blowing through stop signs and reaching speeds of 80 to 90 mph. We are lucky that none of us were in the way of these idiots. "

Mafi wrote on Jul 26, 2008 6:51 PM:

" A high speed chase for stealing alcohol!?? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they were caught- maybe there's more to the story- but the watch commander should of called off the chase- they seriously could killed any one of us and I heard them zoom by my house and new it would end badly. These kids will get a slap on the wrist- believe me as a former P.O. besides sex offenders only get 9mo's in this town! "

NapaNana wrote on Jul 26, 2008 7:30 PM:

" But wait....doesn't spanking teach a child how to be violent? It is called PARENTING! Even the cats and dogs PARENT their offspring! It is how they are TAUGHT to PAY ATTENTION and STAY ALIVE.... I tanned my boys fannies a time or two. They thank me now.....and tan my grandchildrens fannies too. Strange how none of them ended up violent serial killers or in prison, but instead really great men. I wonder how I failed them......... "

db76 wrote on Jul 26, 2008 7:41 PM:

" Most kids in the juvenile justice system were hit by their parent(s) as children. (If you don't believe me, try working in the field for a few months and talk with some of these kids). In Denmark, it's illegal to hit your kids, and their juvenile crime rate did not increase. So, I doubt that spanking would prevent people from stealing cars; the situation is a lot more complicated. "

you wrote on Jul 26, 2008 7:52 PM:

" how is the officer that crashed after chasing these kids? "

kevin wrote on Jul 26, 2008 8:03 PM:

" Ahhh, brings back memories of youth. The "good old days".

Good times... "

elb wrote on Jul 26, 2008 8:06 PM:

" If a 14 and 15 year old felt brazen enough to pull a stunt like this, then I'm thinking it's safe to assume the parent's aren't involved enough in these kids' lives to be as mad about this as they should be.

This is a sad commentary on our societies ability to parent our offspring.

If evolution is true, then why do we have so many people running around acting like animals after all these billions of years? I would think we would have weeded out most of these thugs by now, but nope... "

supernova8610 wrote on Jul 26, 2008 8:06 PM:

" I drive through the Dry Creek/Redwood road intersection all the time. I'm sure glad I wasn't anywhere near when this happened. What kind of idiots are these two kids anyway? "

redwood_roadie wrote on Jul 26, 2008 8:10 PM:

" Folks here should keep in mind that as much as we'd like to see the follow up on this story, Juveniles have special protection under the law. Unless it's a capital crime, they are not 'prosecuted'. That is for adult court. Also, all JV court matters are not public record, which is why their names will not be put in the papers (or the web). The courts will assign services and rehabilitation for them-- not jail time. They kids. Dumb and wreckless, but still just kids. "

theman wrote on Jul 26, 2008 9:17 PM:

" I saw the chase. I was over at my friends house and we could see the crash from a distance "

raybo wrote on Jul 26, 2008 9:25 PM:

" They're not just kids. With this kind of behavior at 14 & 15 they are felons in training. "

ADark1 wrote on Jul 26, 2008 9:44 PM:

" Nice to see we have two more candidates for the "AFIT Award"...A Felon In Training....
I didn't see anything about an Officer crashing...I cannot believe the kids drove better then he did if its true...If IT DID happen? I hope he 's ok...Good thing they weren't from Vallejo!!!!! "

notpc wrote on Jul 26, 2008 9:51 PM:

" Lousy parenting. Hopefully the police are asking these two about the vandalism with the oven cleaner on the cars. These two seem the types. "

Farmgirl wrote on Jul 26, 2008 10:13 PM:

" What ever happened to the story of the creeps spraying cars with oven cleaner and such in the Trower area? I saw one blog that they caught some 14 year old boys (surprise, surprise) but I have not seen a story in the NVR that anyone was caught. Does anyone know if this was resolved and why it was dropped like a hot potato? Anyway, throw the book at these kids - probably neither one had a dad in the house and the mothers are probably terrified of them! (OK just guessing.) "

Straight Talk wrote on Jul 26, 2008 10:15 PM:

" Just my opinion - but I would like to see a curfew in this town for kids ages 17 and under. I would like to see law enforcement send home any teens under the age of 17 and with a fine the parent has to pay if the kids are out past 10 on weekdays and 11 pm on weekends.

I heard this chase last night. Sirens. Cars accelerating and screeching. It's a miracle no one died. These kids should spend at least six months in the juvenile justice system.

I'm registered as a Democrat and believe in tough love. Spare me the "Oh, they'll just learn to be hardened criminals in jail." If someone does not smack some sense into these kids they will never learn and will die an early death and worse may take innocent people to the grave with them. "

pharper wrote on Jul 26, 2008 10:55 PM:

" ...I'm scared now.
I'm glad my parents don't/never did spank me. I don't think I'd be a better person because of it; it's an individual thing. I don't think hitting is EVER okay, even if it's :discipline." If you're not a good enough parent to make your child listen WITHOUT physically harming them, maybe you shouldn’t be a parent.

These kids did something stupid and made a mistake. No matter what the cause or why they did it, they're still just kids, and we're all entitled to make a few mistakes. "

newmom wrote on Jul 26, 2008 11:43 PM:

" Pharper,,,,,,,, how many mistakes. Seems like they had quite a few all in one day. If age is the criteria then why are teens being tried as adults? "

funnyme wrote on Jul 27, 2008 12:37 AM:

" ADD, autism, lack of self esteem, bipolar...You name it.
Anything will be an excuse why these poor kids "made a mistake" and should be given a second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth chance......bullfeathers!
Remember the kid over in Singapore a few years ago who got his tush whipped? Is he damaged for life? Or perhaps doing OK?
I was hoping to present him as an example to modern, tolerant and free society... "

pharper wrote on Jul 27, 2008 1:45 AM:

" I don't know why teens are being tried as adults. I'm sure there are some that deserve to, but kids are kids. They make mistakes. That's not to say there aren't some bad people out there and some kids who will just never get it, but most people are relatively good people, and that includes teenagers. Taking away chunks of their lives, hitting them, or inflicting exceedingly harsh punishments isn't going to help them get any better. "

sportsfan wrote on Jul 27, 2008 6:24 AM:

" first off, there is a big difference between hitting your kid and giving him a well dererved swat on the backside. All in favor of the 2nd, say aye.

2nd, a curfew will only work for the good kids. 14-15 year olds who steal cars an booze will not even think about obeying a curfew.

3rd. The parents need to stop being their kids friend and be parents. Hold them accountable for the actions of their precious delinquents.

Their must be an excuse somewhere, could it be the parents just did a bad job (not) parenting their kids.

Pass the condoms! "

UpValleyWhiner wrote on Jul 27, 2008 6:48 AM:

" Sure hope these two get a clear lesson. I can't help but think if they were adults, they could get multiple years in prison for auto theft. Somehow, I think they will get off with that little swat. "

Plantmum6 wrote on Jul 27, 2008 8:27 AM:

" Hey, lets all sit around and bash the parents! Nobody has any idea of the details but....I am SURE they are lazy and just downright bad , never should have had children.

My son was involved in a icident that was reported in teh register a few months ago and the people on this blog were ready to lynch not only my son but his father and I as well. Again, nevermind that you only know half the facts. In our case the "victim" of our sons stupid mistake actually befriended him and admitted some of the falt. My son has a job and is paying for his transgressions.

I am not excusing what these children did, but people! Wake up! Stop being so dang judgemental! Over and over I see fellow Napans on here pointing fingers and showing no human empathy whatsoever. Its sad. "

Kathy Concened wrote on Jul 27, 2008 8:35 AM:

" redwood_roadie: The courts will assign services and rehabilitation for them-- not jail time. They kids. Dumb and reckless, but still just kids. "

Great. That is the attitude why juveniles can and will commit crimes. Every time they hurt or kill someone lets just remember they are kids. In fact lets not send juvenile gang members to state institutions. They are kids and should be put in a "Program." I'm sure that will work. "

reason-ator wrote on Jul 27, 2008 9:26 AM:

" When you have a kid tell you that all the timeouts, restrictions, discussions, etc. didn't matter to him or her, but that the thought of a very firm slap on the wrist ( or fanny ) WAS a deterrent, well- my first though was to send that kid to the corner next time he messed up. Or maybe it was a corner on the moon. "

UpValleyWhiner wrote on Jul 27, 2008 10:09 AM:

" I have a hard time with the Quote, "They are just kids," Kathy.
This is beyond just being a kid. Take another look at all the acts that were committed. I don't even begin to blame parents or the school or peers. I blame the "Kids". They will get some counciling and be home for a warm meal soon, all to be erased in time. I really don't know if that is enough. I guess I don't believe in the system. "

notpc wrote on Jul 27, 2008 10:38 AM:

" To plantmum6- As parents we all fear that our kids may make a bad decision. You and your husband have appear to have taught your son that he has to make restitution for his actions. That is a great example. Its a much different approach than the parents of the kids on PROBATION who were making excuses that their poor babies could never pour oven cleaner on peoples cars. "

napagls wrote on Jul 27, 2008 11:00 AM:

" Imagine being the homeowner on the corner of Redwood and Dry Creek! This was really frightening but we escaped damage this time "

mamyt wrote on Jul 27, 2008 11:57 AM:

" Did they find any Oven Cleaner in the car??? "

NapaNana wrote on Jul 27, 2008 11:58 AM:

" Sportsfan.....AYE!
There IS a BIG difference between beating your child out of anger....and getting their attention by swatting their fanny. I truely believe that their bottoms and their ears are connected......if their ears aren't working right...a little swat somehow clears up the reception issues..... Time out? Oh sure.....for minor infractions susch as not sharing a toy. But what about darting out in the street? Is that just a sweet little, "now honey....go sit in the corner in your little chair and try to think about how dangerous it is in the street with all the trucks zooming by......NOT!! More like a What-(swat)-do-(swat)-you-(swat)-think-(swat)-you-(swat)-are-(swat)-doing-(swat)-playing-(swat)-in-(swat)-the-(swat)-street SWAT. NOW a time out! "

tiredofcomplainingnapkins wrote on Jul 27, 2008 2:27 PM:

" I saw a cop car wrecked, was that part of this chase or something different? Same time frame and same area "

pharper wrote on Jul 27, 2008 3:24 PM:

" So...what? Any time a kid does something bad or dumb, we lock them in jail and throw away the key? Programs DO work, Kathy Concerned; if they didn't, they wouldn't exist. MOST kids can be rehabilitated after committing a crime. It is absolutely true that some can't, and others are too far gone to ever function as normal members of society. But just because a kid commits a crime it doesn't make them a bad kid, or one who doesn't deserve a second chance. There's a point at which, with each individual, it's true that we'll have to give up. But condemning kids for making mistakes (even big ones like this) won't "teach" them anything. If your child disobeyed you, would you ground him for the rest of his life and then write him off as a "bad kid?" Hitting (or "spanking") a child doesn't teach them anything except that it's okay to hit if they don't like something someone else has done. true, it's not usually traumatizing, but is that really the message we want to send to kids?

Give these guys a break. They may need to be punished for their actions and they may have done something wrong, but it doesn't mean they don't deserve compassion. "

wowquebonita wrote on Jul 27, 2008 5:16 PM:

" Why is there no mention of the police car that crashed into the tree?!?!? "

Dwayne wrote on Jul 27, 2008 5:32 PM:

" A good spanking would have gotten Charles Manson straightened out, eh...??? "

bob2 wrote on Jul 27, 2008 6:08 PM:

" Rebellious kids often have rebellious parents and the attitude and actions of each are passed on. I've seen it in lots of famililies. "

skeptic wrote on Jul 28, 2008 12:12 AM:

" i'm no expert because i don't have kids. i wouldn't judge anyone who spanked a kid who walked into traffic but i think they could be arrested for assault and have their kids taken by c.p.s. better check out the law before saying it' s best to hit, spank, or whip a child. someone could loose a child to the state , at least temporarily, by following that advice. assault is when you threaten to touch another against their will, and battery is when you do it. pretty strict laws means it's wise to check before doing anything remotely violent in ca. "

gogojr1 wrote on Jul 28, 2008 2:21 AM:

" thats insane. "

napan007 wrote on Jul 28, 2008 12:08 PM:

" Beating... oh sorry, "swatting" your kids seems like the lazy way out to me, as well as ridiculous. I'm not growing something for nine months inside of me only to beat it up when it's out. I'm not letting anyone else beat my kids up either. Time-outs are extremely effective on my nieces and nephews of various ages but it does take effort from me to work with them to bring about remorse for what they did (and not much effort at that, a short, private converstaion with them does the trick) - and then the bad behavior stops completely. I much prefer that than making them fear me! They won't be smaller and weaker than me forever after all. "

savenapa wrote on Jul 28, 2008 7:02 PM:

" I've got four great kids and they all got a good swat now and then, never out of anger and always with lots of loving communication. They are well adjusted and everyone always commeted on how good they behaved when with others. It is how you raise them, not if you spank. Raise them like a fool and they will be fools. "

GGrafe wrote on Jul 29, 2008 2:24 PM:

" We came upon the accident with the police officer into the tree. It was explained to us that this was part of the chase and that the officer is okay, as well as can be expected after driving off the road and into a tree. I do hope they will be held responsible for this accident as well as the resources used to stop them and clean up their mess.
Maybe if children or young adults are held responsible for their actions, they might think twice about their bad behavior. There was a time here in Napa when young people were afraid of what might happen if they committed a crime! "

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