Peoria Standard

September 16, 2024, Peoria, IL – Today, a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old were charged with aggravated vehicular hijacking after taking a car at gunpoint Friday night in Northwest Peoria.

Around 10:20 pm Friday, police responded to the 5300 block of W. Haymeadow Place on a report of a vehicular hijacking. The victim told police he had just arrived home when two males armed with guns and wearing masks opened his car door, pointed the guns at his head, and took his car. While checking the area, officers spotted the vehicle and tried to pull it over. The teens instead fled from police, driving recklessly through city streets and reaching speeds over 100 MPH before crashing at the on-ramp for I-74 eastbound and War Memorial Drive. The 14-year-old was injured in the crash and is currently hospitalized. The 15-year-old was seen running from the scene but was apprehended after a brief foot chase. Both firearms were recovered.

"Our office is filing a Petition to Transfer both cases to adult court," said an official statement. "The 15-year-old will remain in custody at the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center, and the 14-year-old will have a detention hearing once he is released from the hospital and taken into custody."

This investigation is ongoing. If you have information regarding this incident, please contact the Peoria Police Department at 309-673-4521.