Two West High students charged after allegedly stealing van and going on joyride

Lang
12/23/22

Two West High students face charges that they stole a van and took it for a joyride.

Records from Iowa City Police indicate a 16-year-old girl acquired her neighbor’s car keys around 3pm on December 2nd and stole a van valued at $2,000 from an address on Hawai’i Court. The girl picked up a 15-year-old boy, and the two allegedly picked up other juveniles and drove downtown. Once they arrived, the 16-year-old reportedly handed the keys to the 15-year-old, who then took off in the van himself, leaving the 16-year-old behind.

Police have since acquired Snapchat video the younger teen allegedly took of himself driving the van. Both teens are now charged with 2nd Degree Theft. If convicted as adults, they would each face a maximum of five years in prison.

Police say neither teens’ mothers cooperated in the investigation.