Teens accused of stealing car, leading police on high-speed chase, crashing car into Kings County home

HANFORD, Calif. (KFSN) -- The James' were enjoying a nice quiet 4th of July afternoon. Wayne was sitting on a recliner, with a cat resting in his lap. But soon the silence was met with a sudden crash of noise.

Wayne went to go look, and Berniece asked if it was an earthquake. Wayne walked down the hallway and opened the door to the master bedroom, but it wouldn't move very far. But he could see a car in the bedroom, and a teenager hopped over the hood.

Wayne says he looked scared, with eyes as big as silver dollars.

"And he comes up to me and took his hand and pushed me back and he comes out the door and he runs back down the hall and went out our back sliding door on the patio," Wayne said.

Police caught him nearby. They said the 17-year-old was arrested in Hanford a month ago for stealing another car in Visalia.

Three girls were also arrested and booked into juvenile hall Monday afternoon.

"We're very thankful that no one was in that bedroom at the time of that collision or any other bystanders on the road that could have been injured," said Hanford Police Sgt. James Lutz.

Prior to the crash, police say the teen boy and three girls (one as young as 13) stole the car at a Chevron gas station in Hanford. Police say the owner had left the keys in the ignition.

Police then spotted the car on Highway 43 and tried to make a stop, but the vehicle sped up, topping 100 miles per hour. Eventually, they crashed into the James' home after trying to make a turn.

The damage is done, but Berniece and Wayne aren't feeling sorry for themselves.

"I feel sorry for them because their life is so messed up and they are headed in the wrong direction," Berniece said.

Police said three of the four teens are runaways.

And while they certainly disturbed the peace and caused some serious damage, no one was seriously hurt, and they're lucky they won't have to pay for that.

Police said the stolen car has severe damage and had to be towed away.

The teen driver is facing a few serious charges, including felony evading, felony hit and run, vehicle theft, and child endangerment.