Logan Michael Phillips

The investigation into an accident early Sept. 2, uncovered that the vehicle had been stolen and also solved the theft of two dirt bikes.

Logan Phillips, 19, North Hillside Drive, Syracuse, was arrested Sept. 3 for auto theft and theft. Bond was set at $5,000.

Events began at 2:33 a.m. Sept. 2. Police were notified that a vehicle rolled over in the middle of the roadway on CR 1290 North near CR 875 East. Syracuse Police went to investigate but found no one around the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer. The police began the search for the owner.

A separate call was received at 9:02 a.m. of a found dirt bike leaning against a fence on North Lake Street. Police found a Yamaha TT-R 125 with the property owner stating it possibly belonged to an individual staying across the street. Scott A. Meyer, Zionsville, said he had two bikes and discovered the two bikes missing, a Yamaha TT-R 125 and a Honda 50cc. He was shown the found bike and confirmed it was his. The other bike is still missing. The bikes were estimated at $6,000.

The theft of the two dirt bikes were connected to the accident after several concerned parents notified police their children had been in an accident overnight.

Through the course of the investigation, police learned Phillips, accompanied by another juvenile who was approximately 16 years of age, had stolen the Blazer from Village Lube on South Huntington Street Sunday evening. Phillips had been employed at the business and allegedly knew the keys would be in the vehicle.

The duo allegedly went to pick up a female juvenile and two other male juveniles and spent the evening driving to Warsaw, around Enchanted Hills and other locations. Through interviews with the juveniles involved, it was learned the driver at the time of the accident was a 16-year-old male, with a 15-year-old female, 15-year-old male and Phillips as back seat passengers.

Another 16-year-old male was a front seat passenger. The driver told police he lost control of the vehicle as he attempted to “whip it” on the road, causing it to roll over. A window was kicked out by one of the occupants to escape the overturned vehicle. All five fled the scene on foot. Several of the youth involved said the dirt bike was in the back of the Blazer.

Police were able to locate the registered owner of the vehicle, who informed police he had sold the vehicle several weeks prior to an individual at Village Lube. Before police could notify the new owner, Don Brace called authorities at 4 p.m. to report the vehicle stolen from the business, stating he had last seen it at 3 p.m. Sunday. The keys had been left in the vehicle.