Seneca County, NY (WSYR-TV) – Four Seneca County teens are under arrest after an alleged crime spree that began with a stolen school bus in the town of Ovid and ended in a high speed chase in South Carolina.
The teens arrested are Alexander S. VanVleet, 19, of County Road 139 in Ovid; Adam Campbell, 19, of County Road 139 in Ovid; Sarah Smith, 17, of West Seneca Street in Ovid; and a 15-year-old male not named due to his age.
Seneca County Sheriff Jack Stenberg said the investigation began on February 19, when deputies found a vandalized South Seneca school bus that had been stolen from school property in Ovid.
The bus was recovered in Lodi and has been involved in an accident on County Road 131, according to the Sheriff.
On February 22, Ovid Liquor Store on Seneca Street was burglarized and a front window was broken.
The Sheriff’s Department determined the two crimes were related and identified “four persons of interest” believed to be responsible for both. Investigators believed the four were traveling to the Steuben County area.
Then, on February 24, a home in the Steuben County Town of Erwin was broken into. Sheriff Stenberg said two elderly people were tied up, while their car along with some money was stolen. Investigators believed the same four were responsible.
Investigators learned that group was headed to the Clemson, South Carolina area, and police in that area were notified.
On February 25th, the stolen car, which was allegedly spray painted to change its color, was spotted on a South Carolina highway. A 15 mile high speed chase ensued and ended in an accident, according to the Sheriff.
Campbell, Smith and the 15-year-old were arrested immediately, according to Stenberg; VanVleet ran and was arrested after a foot chase.
All four have appeared in court in South Carolina, waived extradition and are being returned to New York.
After being returned to Seneca County Friday, all four will be arraigned on a variety of criminal charges in connection with the stolen school bus and burglary.
The investigations are continuing and additional arrests are pending.
