The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office has released the timeline and activity of the detainment of a juvenile female on Tuesday in Syracuse in relation to a stolen car investigation.
- 1:53pm: A stolen vehicle, a gray Kia (SPD #25-116713 from 1/12/25), was observed on Grant Blvd. Deputy continued to follow the vehicle while other units responded to assist
- 1:58pm: Support units in the area and a traffic stop is initiated. Vehicle flees.
- 2:05pm: Vehicle stops at Cannon St./ W. Corning Ave. All four occupants bail and flee on foot.
- 2:07pm: The 14-year-old driver is in custody following a foot pursuit, with no issues.
- 2:12pm: Descriptions of other 3 occupants broadcast via radio
- 2:18pm: Two males matching the description observed at an address on Newell St. a couple blocks away. Multiple units respond to assist.
- 2:23pm: Descriptions of other 3 occupants rebroadcast via radio
- 2:38pm: Female observed on Midland Ave/ Fernwood Ave that matched description
- 2:40pm: Female is detained without force. The female is wearing the exact clothing as broadcast via radio. The female is in close proximity to the stop location. One block west and 5 blocks north. Approximately 1,800 feet or .35 miles.
- 2:42pm: Cell phone picture of dashcam footage is requested to help expedite the process.
- 2:43pm: Cell phone image is received and compared to the detained female. The resolution of the image and close similarities (pink puffy jacket, camo pants, white shoes, pink bag, etc.) to warrant further detainment. Consultation with the deputy from the traffic stop begins.
- 2:46pm: Deputy with direct view of dashcam footage uses Facetime to view detained female and determines she is not a suspect. Largely based on the camo pattern of the pants, the “grain” of the puffy jacket, the length of hair, and complexion differences.
- 2:47pm: Female is no longer detained.
The Sheriff met with the juvenile’s mother to discuss her concerns. The conversation was productive, and the Sheriff understood the mother’s concerns about why the police didn’t inform her that her daughter was detained as part of a criminal investigation. The Sheriff agrees that moving forward, it will be OCSO policy to notify a parent or guardian of any juvenile who is detained for criminal investigative purposes, no matter how brief the encounter is. It is currently OCSO’s policy to notify only a parent or guardian pursuant to an arrest. In reviewing the incident, the detainment of the juvenile was lawful and reasonable, given the juvenile’s proximity and clothing description. Upon detainment, deputies diligently tried to quickly compare the juvenile with video evidence obtained via dashcam. In that comparison, it was clear that the detained juvenile was not the suspect we were seeking, and she was immediately released. This situation was cleared up quickly, largely due to the juvenile’s disposition, patience, and cooperation. The juvenile was handcuffed for less than 7 minutes.
One question asked is: why would we handcuff this child? Detainees are usually handcuffed initially. Detainees may become uncooperative, may decide to flee, or may decide to fight. In some cases, detainees may be armed or have contraband/ evidence they will try to destroy. Handcuffing from the start usually prevents a controlled situation from devolving into an uncontrolled situation; ultimately preventing altercations, force, and potential for injury. The police do not definitively know a person’s age and ascertaining that information is part of the detainment process. Handcuffing juveniles in this circumstance is lawful, within policy, and common practice in law enforcement.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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