VALDOSTA — The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office went in pursuit of juveniles — including a 12-year-old — behind the wheel in a pair of separate chases recently.

The most recent incident occurred shortly before 4 a.m. Tuesday, July 11, at the intersection of Inner Perimeter Road and Ga. 125, say reports.

A deputy saw a silver Jeep Wrangler heading at a high rate of speed along Inner Perimeter Road, according to reports. Pursuit followed, and the Jeep was crashed using a ram maneuver, say reports.

The driver was a 12-year-old who was arrested and detained for the Department of Juvenile Justice, according to reports. A 15-year-old was also arrested, say reports.

Between them, the two juveniles racked up charges for 11 traffic violations plus charges for misdemeanor obstruction of an officer, flee/attempt to elude, receive stolen property and tobacco violation, according to reports.

The vehicle turned out to be stolen, say reports.

In an unrelated case at 5:37 a.m., July 7, a 15-year-old driver failed to stop for law enforcement during an attempted traffic stop at the intersection of North Forrest Street and East Park Avenue, according to sheriff’s office reports. 

The juvenile disregarded traffic-control devices while speeding through a residential area, reports stated.

The juvenile driver was arrested and charged with flee/attempt to elude, reckless driving, failure to obey a stop sign and driving without a license, according to reports.

Terry Richards is senior reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times.