Vehicle theft spike in Naperville; 1 teen arrested

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WLS) -- A 15-year-old Chicago boy has been charged with stealing a vehicle in Naperville, where police have seen a recent spike in vehicle thefts and burglaries, police said.

Several incidents have occurred in the west suburb's subdivisions of Hobson West, West Highlands, Olympic Terrace and Maplebrook, according to the Naperville Police Department.

At about 5 a.m. Wednesday, police were checking the area of Washington Street and Tamarack Drive when they located a stolen vehicle. A 15-year-old Chicago boy ran from the vehicle, but was arrested shortly afterward, police said.

In the same area, police found a total of five stolen vehicles - all with the keys inside. A stolen vehicle from the city of Chicago was also recovered in the vicinity, Naperville police said.

About 30 vehicle burglaries have also occurred, police said. Most of those vehicles were unlocked.

The teen was charged with burglary, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, obstructing identification and Resisting Arrest, Naperville police said.

In 2015, 89 percent of Naperville's reported car burglaries were to unlocked vehicles. Authorities said that locking a vehicle is a key deterrent.