Beer theft results in crash near Idaho Falls Airport; 2 in custody, 2 on the run
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IDAHO FALLS — Two people were taken into custody and two are on the run after a beer theft resulted in a crash Sunday morning.
Idaho Falls Police received a call around 5:30 a.m. from a clerk at KJ’s on Broadway Street who said a small group of people had come in and stolen beer before leaving in a white Chevy Lumina, Idaho Falls Police spokeswoman Jessica Clements tells EastIdahoNews.com.
Officers found the Lumina and attempted to pull it over but the driver refused to stop. Police followed the car slowly but near the intersection of Skyline Drive and Grandview Drive, Clements says the driver took off at a high rate of speed.
Police found the vehicle crashed into a tree near the Idaho Falls Regional Airport at Skyline Drive and Federal Way with the occupants attempting to flee.
“Officers located two occupants of the car and detained them. Two other occupants of the car fled onto Idaho Falls Airport property,” Clements says. “Those two individuals have not been located yet but are believed to have left airport property.”
Officers remained in the area searching for the two suspects and processing the crash scene.
The two suspects in custody were taken to the Bonneville County Jail.
Albert Puente, 18, was arrested for felony eluding, felony leaving the scene of an accident, and aggravated DUI.
Jaciel Paez-Vega, 31, was arrested for felony leaving the scene of an accident.
“It is important to note, this was before flights arrived and departed at the airport for the morning, and there were no impacts to scheduled flights,” Clements says. “The airport has conducted numerous sweeps of the airfield in coordination with law enforcement. At this time, it’s believed no one is on the airfield who is not authorized to be so.”
The two suspects currently in custody are Albert Puente and Jaciel Paez-Vega. Puente, an 18-year-old male, has been arrested for Felony Eluding, Felony Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and Aggravated DUI. Paez-Vega, a 31-year-old male, has been arrested for Felony Leaving the Scene of an Accident. Both will be taken to the Bonneville County Jail.
Officers are working to identify and locate the other people involved. Anyone with information is asked to call police at (208) 529-1200.
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