2 teens arrested in connection to Woodbury vehicle thefts

Authorities say two teens were arrested Sunday in connection to a pair of vehicle thefts.

According to Woodbury Public Safety, a resident was unloading a Kia on Saturday afternoon after a shopping trip. Police said a 15-year-old suspect quickly got in the vehicle as the resident was coming out of the house and began driving off. The owner hung onto the Kia’s door briefly before letting go and the suspect took off with the vehicle. Fortunately, the resident wasn’t hurt.

Officers later found the stolen Kia unoccupied along the 2000 block of Seventh Avenue in St. Paul.

On Sunday, officers were returning from an undercover detail in St. Paul when they found two vehicle driving at a high rate of speed on Interstate 94 near Interstate 494. Police said officers briefly pursued a Cadillac SRX that was stolen but officers stopped due to the suspect’s dangerous driving.

However, the Cadillac “suffered a catastrophic failure” a short time later, police said. Those in the vehicle fled but officers were able to arrest two 13-year-olds, including one who had previous arrests for stolen vehicles. Police also found a garage door opener and a key fob for the Kia stolen a day earlier inside the Cadillac.

Woodbury police said vehicle thefts continue to be crimes of opportunity and urged residents to not leave vehicles unattended and running. Officers encourage anyone who sees suspicious activity to call 911.