VALDOSTA — Valdosta police have charged a 17-year-old with trying to steal a car early Friday morning.

About 1:50 a.m. that day, police officers responded to an apartment complex in the 1500 block of East Park. A resident called E911 to report that she had observed an unknown male inside her vehicle. In a statement later on Friday, police said the victim provided a detailed description of the male she had observed in her car. 

When they arrived, officers saw a male who matched the description, and when they tried to make contact with him, he ran. A VPD K9 unit responded and, with the assistance of other officers and deputies from the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, found the suspect hiding in the backyard of a residence in the 1700 block of Barack Obama Boulevard. 

The 17-year-old suspect was arrested without any further incident, the police statement said.

During the investigation, officers discovered the steering column was damaged in the victim’s vehicle. Police said evidence showed that the suspect was attempting to steal the car.

The teen has been charged with criminal attempt to commit a felony and possession of tools for the commission of a crime, both of which are felonies; and with two misdemeanors: obstruction of law enforcement officers and loitering and prowling.

“The ability of this victim to provide a detailed description of the offender was extremely key in his quick apprehension,” said Police Chief Leslie Manahan. “This is another great example of law enforcement working together. Teamwork resulted in this offender being tracked and apprehended without any further incident.”

If anyone has any further information on this case or any other cases, please contact the Valdosta Police Department Bureau of Investigative Services at 229-293-3145, the crime tip line at 229-293-3091, or file a tip online at www.valdostacity.com/police-department.