Teen Arrested in Stolen Car Chase; Driver Sought
A 17-year-old passenger was charged with petit larceny after a car stolen from Chili was abandoned in Rochester, while its driver remains at large.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Property Crime
Monroe County sheriff's deputies arrested a 17-year-old boy in connection with a car stolen from a driveway on Sunnyside Lane in Chili. The driver fled on foot and remains at large.
Why it matters
The case shows how a stolen-vehicle report can escalate into a multi-jurisdictional pursuit across Monroe County and the City of Rochester. Authorities are still searching for the driver, who is the primary suspect in the theft.
The 17-year-old passenger was charged with petit larceny and issued an expedited appearance ticket, then released to his mother's custody. The driver remains at large, and no further charges or court dates have been reported.
The players
Monroe County Sheriff's Office
The county law enforcement agency that responded to the theft, conducted the pursuit, and made the arrest in this case.
Rochester Police Department
The city police force that assisted deputies by helping establish a perimeter after the car was abandoned in Rochester.
The details
Deputies spotted the car on I-490 east minutes after responding to the theft report. When they attempted a traffic stop at Circle Street and Birch Crescent in Rochester, the occupants refused to exit and fled in the vehicle, which was later found unoccupied on North Union Street at Lewis Street. Rochester police helped establish a perimeter that led to the 17-year-old's detention.
Timeline
Tuesday night: the car is reported stolen from a driveway on Sunnyside Lane in Chili.
Minutes later: deputies spot the stolen car on I-490 east.
Shortly after the traffic stop: the car is found unoccupied on North Union Street in Rochester.
Legal Context
Juvenile involvement in vehicle theft is a recurring concern for local police, and cases like this one are typically handled through expedited processing for minors. The extraction does not include regional statistics to place this incident against broader trends.
Residents in Chili and Rochester should keep vehicles locked and out of open driveways, since the theft began with a car taken from a home driveway. Drivers who see a suspicious vehicle should report it to local police.
The takeaway
Vehicle theft often starts with an unlocked or unattended car, so keeping keys secured and cars locked can prevent a stolen car from becoming a pursuit.
Further reading
For more on local thefts, see Property Crime coverage across Rochester.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WHEC.
