Six juveniles in custody after series of South Elgin car thefts

Six juveniles were taken into custody Thursday after a series of car thefts near South Elgin.

Officials from the Kane County sheriff's office said deputies responded to the 1000 block of Woodcliff Drive in unincorporated Elgin Township at 5:30 a.m. Thursday for a report of a stolen black BMW.

A deputy located the black BMW traveling south on Route 31 and notified other responding units. A white BMW, which at the time deputies believed was driven by someone working with the car thieves, was also in the area.

The black BMW turned onto McLean Boulevard and ultimately crashed with the white BMW in the area of Stearns Road and McLean. Deputies saw five subjects exit the vehicles and flee on foot from the crash.

Police officers from South Elgin, St. Charles, Bartlett and the sheriff's office set up a perimeter, and six juveniles were taken into custody. Three were transported to Saint Joseph Hospital in Elgin with minor injuries sustained in the crash and fleeing through heavy brush. All three are out of the hospital.

Sheriff's officials later confirmed the white BMW also was stolen. An Audi key inside the black BMW belonged to another stolen vehicle that was located on River Valley Drive near Woodcliff Drive.

The juveniles ranged in age from 14 to 16. The 15-year-old driver of the white BMW will face the most serious charges, sheriff's officials said, including possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated fleeing and eluding, property damage, various traffic violations including reckless driving, obstructing a police officer and cannabis possession.

Other juveniles in both cars are expected to be charged with at least criminal trespass to a motor vehicle, though more charges may be added.