Published: July 22, 2008 08:00 pm      

Traverse City teen allegedly stole car

TRAVERSE CITY -- A Traverse City teen who allegedly used a stolen vehicle to break through the front doors of a Grawn party store could face several criminal charges.

Police believe the youth, 16, drank alcohol before he stole a Hyundai sedan and used it to push through the front doors of the Pantry Shelf on U.S. 31 at about 5 a.m. Tuesday, Grand Traverse County Undersheriff Nathan Alger said.

"It's not uncommon for 16-year-olds to drink alcohol or go to parties, but it is uncommon for them to steal vehicles and ram them into businesses," Alger said. "I don't know what was going through (his) mind."

Deputies found the shop's doors forced open by what appeared to be a vehicle, Alger said. The lack of significant damage to the building suggests the collision wasn't an accident, Alger said.

"He positioned the car at the front door and pushed that door open," he said.

The teen was at a party before the incident, Alger said. He left the party and found the Hyundai parked at a West Silver Lake Road residence and allegedly drove off with it, Alger said. Investigators don't believe the teen knew the car's owner, but the keys were in the vehicle.

A passing driver saw a suspicious vehicle in the area of the business and began to follow it at about the same time deputies went to the store, Alger said. The teen eventually crashed near the intersection of Pine Tree and Sullivan roads in Green Lake Township and ran from the scene.

Deputies found the teen in the area of the vehicle with minor injuries from the crash, and he appeared intoxicated. A preliminary breath test given at 8 a.m. Tuesday showed a blood-alcohol content of .11, more than the .08 legal limit for adults.

The teen allegedly admitted to stealing the vehicle and using it to break into the store, Alger said. Deputies also obtained security camera footage showing the car striking the business.

The suspect took alcohol from the party store, but investigators believe he was drinking before the incident.

Because of his age, the teen was turned over to probate court authorities. Deputies plan to seek charges of breaking and entering, unlawful driving away of a motor vehicle, operating while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an accident and operating a vehicle without a license.