Police seek teen accused of car theft
BUTLER TWP — One teenager was arrested and another is on the run following the alleged theft of a car left running late Wednesday night outside a convenience store.
Jaleel N. Christian, 18, of Saxonburg, and his 16-year-old nephew, who lives in Philadelphia, are suspected in the 11:20 p.m. incident at the Sheetz on Route 8 in Butler Township, according to police.
Police said they are still seeking the younger suspect and the stolen car, a 2015 Nissan Versa.
Christian was arraigned Wednesday on felony counts of theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy. He was placed in the Butler County Prison on $15,000 bond following arraignment.
Detective Max Wittlinger, the investigating officer, said Thursday the owner of the car told police she had driven to the store and left the vehicle running while she went inside to order food.
When she left the store, she discovered her car was gone.
A review of surveillance video provided key clues, Wittlinger said, including that two suspects were involved.
The video showed the victim drive into the parking lot, exit her car and go into the store. Charging documents report “the vehicle was observed running, with headlights/taillights on.”
A car, identified as a 2007 Dodge Nitro, is seen traveling west on Vogel Road before stopping in the middle of the road adjacent to the victim's car, police said.
A male, believed to be the 16-year-old suspect, gets out of the Dodge, walks into the parking lot and goes up to the Nissan, according to investigators.
After a brief pause at the driver's side door, police said, he gets into the car and drives off toward the parking lot's Vogel Road entrance/exit.
Both cars are seen in the video traveling west on Vogel Road before making a right turn onto Route 8 north.
Wittlinger subsequently checked the Dodge license plate in the state's database and identified the owner, who lives in Slippery Rock. The investigation eventually identified Christian as having been in recent possession of that car.
Police also received information that the younger suspect had allegedly driven Christian to Pittsburgh, documents said, before the boy possibly headed to Philadelphia.
Christian later returned to Butler County and was interviewed at the township police station after waiving his Miranda rights.
Authorities said Christian admitted to driving the Dodge and said his nephew was riding with him.
“He stated that they observed (the victim) leave her vehicle running,” according to Wittlinger's affidavit, “and decided to steal it.”
Christian recounted his nephew entered the Nissan, and they both drove to Saxonburg before the boy subsequently drove him to Pittsburgh.
Wittlinger said police do not know the 16-year-old boy's whereabouts. The detective said police have spoken to the boy's family, who reported they had not seen him. He added the family is being “cooperative.”
The boy will be charged in Butler County juvenile court, Wittlinger said, but the specific charges have not been determined.
