On Monday morning between the hours of 12:30 a.m. and 3 a.m., Jefferson City police responded to a call referencing thefts and tampering with motor vehicles in the south-east portion of the city.
In particular, a citizen observed a 15-16 year old white male going through vehicles in the 1300 block of Isom Drive at approximately 2:40 a.m.
The citizen chased the suspect for a short distance and the suspect dropped items stolen from cars in the area.
The suspect was able to escape.
Officers checked all vehicles in the area and found eight that had been entered and gone through.
No suspects were found in the area after officer's got to the scene.
Police officials say that although this year they haven't had as many car thefts as last year, the crime continues and they say in many cases theses incidents could be avoided if citizens locked their vehicles and secured valuables.
Anyone with information about these recent incidents is urged to call police at 634-6400.