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67 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, February 24, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classifieds Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend February 23, 2005 Teen mourners arrested after burglary, chase By JACK MORAN Mail Tribune Two Southern California teens in town to attend a friend’s funeral were arrested after allegedly leading police on a vehicle pursuit following a break-in at a Medford stereo dealership. A 17-year-old boy from Talent was also taken to juvenile hall following the Sunday morning incident, Medford police Lt. Mike Moran said. The California teens, both 17, told police they were in Southern Oregon after attending a memorial service for Kevan Thatcher-Stephens in Yreka, Calif., Moran said. Thatcher-Stephens, 17, died Feb. 11 after speeding along Riverside Avenue in Medford and crashing his Jeep Cherokee into a Chevy Blazer. The impact killed Charles Bench, 26, the Blazer’s driver. At about 2 a.m. Sunday, police learned of a burglary in progress at Diamond Audio in the 1200 block of Court Street. An officer arrived at the business in time to see a Jeep Cherokee leaving the scene, Moran said. Advertisement The officer gave chase, and followed the Cherokee along several roads at about 60 mph, Moran said. A second officer went to North Ross Lane, where he stepped out of his patrol vehicle, intending to use spike strips to stop the Cherokee by flattening its tires. Traveling with its lights off, the Cherokee sped by and nearly struck the officer before he had a chance to use the strips, Moran said. The Cherokee finally stopped at a dead end on Barlynn Street. The teens ran into a nearby field, where both California youths were later captured. The Talent teenager escaped, but was later turned in by his mother after being contacted by police. The boy, who police believe drove the Cherokee during the pursuit, was lodged in Jackson County’s juvenile hall on felony charges of second-degree burglary, first-degree theft, first-degree criminal mischief, eluding a police officer in a vehicle and eluding police on foot, a misdemeanor. The California teens, one a resident of South Pasadena, the other a resident of Altadena, were lodged in juvenile hall on felony charges of first-degree theft and second-degree burglary. Moran said Medford police have reviewed the pursuit and concluded the officer acted appropriately in chasing the Cherokee. Stereo equipment taken from Diamond Audio during the burglary was located in the Cherokee, Moran said. Reach reporter Jack Moran at 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers home equity loans helzberg Slippers Student Loans afsa teleconferencing Memory Foam Mattress Advertisement s