Police use GPS trackers, K9 in pursuit of Rockford teens in stolen car

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Police used vehicle tracking technology, a tire deflation system, and a K-9 in pursuit of two 15-year-old boys who stole a car in Rockford on Sunday.

According to Rockford Police, officers with the department’s Specialized Community Oriented Policing Enforcement (SCOPE) team spotted a reportedly stolen vehicle on the streets in the area of Alliance Avenue and Andrews Street on Sunday, October 12th around 9:30 p.m.

When the vehicle failed to yield to officers, the StarChase tracker system was used to deploy a magnetic GPS tracking device to the vehicle. Later, officers threw stop sticks in the vehicle’s path in an attempt to deflate its tires.

Police said the vehicle eventually stopped in the 1200 block of Carbaugh Avenue, and both suspects ran off.

The driver was caught nearby and police said a K-9 dog was used to track down the second offender.

The driver was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated fleeing, and resisting arrest, and was taken to the Juvenile Detention Center.

The passenger was charged with criminal trespass to a vehicle and resting arrest, and was released to a parent or guardian.