Teen thieves caught after fleeing to campus

By Phil Pfuehler

Two St. Paul boys, ages 15 and 16, were captured last Friday afternoon after ramming a squad car with their stolen vehicle. Patrol officer Greg Lotze was injured in the collision, though he assisted with the capture.

According to police, the incident began at 12:30 p.m. when the boys drove off from Swede's Service Station without paying for gas. However, the pair didn't go far.

They were spotted parked next door at the Holiday store in their 1989 4-door Nissan - reportedly stolen a day earlier in St. Paul.

Lotze tried to stop the car by blocking off an exit. But police say the suspects drove their car forward into the squad car and then drove away.

Four police officers, included Lotze, gave chase. The Nissan car was soon found abandoned at Fourth and Walnut streets.

The boys were then seen hiding near a house. They were pursued and finally caught near North Hall on the UW-RF campus.

Sgt. Jeff Linehan said the two did not resist the arresting officers. No weapons were found on the boys.

Lotze was admitted to River Falls Hospital, treated for his injuries and released.

The 16-year-old boy was taken to the Northwest Juvenile Regional Detention Facility in Eau Claire. The 15-year-old boy was turned over to a Ramsey County, Minn., probation agent.

Linehan said authorities in Pierce and Ramsey counties are working together on the case. Though both boys are juveniles, they face potential charges in Wisconsin of resisting arrest, hit and run, and theft.

Police Chief Roger Leque said the squad car that was rammed is drivable, having sustained only minor damage to a rear bumper.

Leque said Lotze, injured during the collision, was unable to return to duty right away. By Tuesday Lotze had returned to work on the day shift.