Early Friday morning, three St. Pete teens allegedly stole a car and nearly flipped it about a block away. The incident took place near the intersection of 53rd Street and 20th Avenue North.
According to St. Petersburg Police Department, the owner had started the car, but went back inside to grab his coffee. That's when he said the three teens, two 15 years old and one 16, got in his Camry and sped off.
The photo in the media player above shows the wreckage left over. The driver hit a parked, unoccupied car and all three ran after the crash. Officers arrested them a few blocks away.
All three teens face a grand theft auto charge.
Just last month, 3 teens, the same age as these, died when they drove a stolen car into a pond.
Police say it's a crime of opportunity. Most cars stolen by young people are left unlocked with the keys inside.
"Get rid of the opportunity and auto thefts will go down." Rick Shaw, SPPD spokesperson said.
