Elburn car theft leads to chase, crash

A 16-year-old boy stole a car Saturday in Elburn, then led authorities on a chase that ended in a crash, police said Tuesday.

The Galesburg teen stole a Saturn Ion at 1:50 p.m. from outside the Mobil gas station at 213 S. Main St. (Route 47). The car had been left running while the owner was inside the store.

Police activated the vehicle's OnStar GPS tracking service, and Kane County Sheriff's deputies spotted the vehicle on Route 47 near Elgin.

When the teen noticed he was identified by police, he drove west on Route 20, eventually crashing the car near Harmony Road in Huntley. He then tried to run off, Elburn police said, but he was apprehended.

The boy, who was not identified because of his age, was charged with unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle and unlawful possession of a converted vehicle, police said.

At a hearing Monday, he was remanded to the custody of the Kane County Juvenile Justice Center to await trial.