Teenager Steals Van, Leads NPR Police on Chase

A 15-year-old has been accused of leading New Port Richey police on a vehicle chase that ended in a crash into a building but no injuries Saturday night.

After 7 p.m. May 14, the New Port Richey Police Department received a call that a male teenager had stolen a van from Harbinger House, a shelter for abused, abandoned and neglected boys in New Port Richey.

According to the police, the caller was following behind the stolen maroon Ford Econoline and said that the male teenager was driving the van north on Little Road at its intersection with Massachusetts Avenue. 

Two New Port Richey Police Department cars tried to stop the van at Ridge and Little roads.

The teen, who lives at the shelter, did not stop. He drove onto Ridge Road and headed west, fleeing into oncoming traffic three times. He crashed through the gates of Chasco Middle/Elementary School, broke the lock and drove onto school grounds.

He returned to Ridge Road and headed west. He then turned onto Congress Street and drove south until he crashed into an unoccupied industrial building at 6524 Orchid Lake Road in New Port Richey. 

“Nobody was injured, and we’re very proud of that,” said Lt. James Steffens, operations commander of the New Port Richey Police Department.

The teenager attempted to flee on foot afterward but was arrested . He was charged with grand theft motor vehicle, aggravated fleeing to elude, criminal mischief, criminal trespass on school grounds and no valid drivers license.