Three juveniles runaways from the Department of Juvenile Justice in Columbia were arrested after a vehicle chase ended in a crash. The juvenile offenders fled the scene of the crash into dense woods and were later captured by a SLED agent and Deputies.

Late Saturday night the three juveniles stole a van after breaking into a Church and accosting a person inside. The van was clocked for speeding on Wilson Road, unbeknownst to the City Police Officer of the prior circumstances. A chase ensued up US 76 towards Kinards. The van wrecked into the woods about a mile past Riser Road and the three left of foot. Bloodhounds chased the suspects in the immediate area but were unable to locate them due to heavy underbrush.

Early Sunday afternoon the three appeared at St. James Lutheran Church asking for assistance. They then re-entered the woods behind the previous location of Metal Masters. A working dog with the City of Newberry responded and began tracking beside the railroad tracks toward Newberry. Another citizen spotted them near Headsprings Road at the Old Parr Dairy. Units responding to the dog call spotted them and took them into custody without further incident.

EMS and Rescue were called to the scene due to all three having sustained injuries in the accident. All three were transported to Newberry County Memorial Hospital.
Richland County Sheriff’s Department is the investigating agency from the car theft and assault.

Due to their ages, names and pictures are not allowed to be released.

Sheriff Foster said he apologized for not sending out a Code Red due to technical difficulties. A message was put out on Facebook during the initial contact due to the technical difficulties. We humbly apologize if this caused anyone problems.