Watch: Suspects crash, rollover in stolen SUV in Southtowns
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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A wild video shows the moment a stolen SUV crashed outside a restaurant in the Southtowns. It's the latest in a dangerous trend of Kia and Hyundai vehicles being stolen in the area.
In the end, two suspects were arrested and Erie County's Sheriff John Garcia is calling for change.
"He came down pretty good, clipped another car and rolled it over and it's amazing no one else got hurt," said Rick Flett, owner of Seneca Greenhouse across the street.
This video shows two suspects crashing near a busy intersection in Elma during the evening commute Wednesday. The crash happened outside Alton's Restaurant. A dark-colored SUV can be seen coming into the picture. It smashes right into a snow bank and then turns over.
It appears that the SUV catches on fire, and smoke starts to come from it. Then two suspects get out and run away.
"I was in the greenhouse watering some plants and we heard this sound," Flett said. "I thought it was ice sliding off the greenhouse. And I ran outside and then I saw the car flipped upside down and kind of some smoke coming out and then we just ran, called the police."
The Erie County Sheriff's Office eventually arrested the two suspects. Jay Garlock, 22, of Springville and a 17-year-old boy from Buffalo face charges. They're accused of stealing that Kia Sorrento SUV out of Springville. They were then chased by State Police and crashed into a Hamburg patrol car before wiping out in Elma.
Garlock has been charged with criminal possession of stolen property, reckless endangerment, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, attempted grand larceny and attempted unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
The other defendant was charged with criminal possession of stolen property, attempted grand larceny and attempted unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
This is just the latest in a dangerous trend of people stealing Kias and Hyundais. The Erie County Sheriff is calling on lawmakers to strengthen the penalties for property crime.
“I want to thank our partnering law enforcement agencies for their assistance. This criminal
and reckless behavior across our region must end,” said Sheriff John Garcia. “This situation, and
many others like it, could have ended in tragedy. Thankfully, it did not. I ask our policymakers
to recognize the issue of property crime as one that needs to be addressed."
Legal experts say these car theft cases usually don't result in long sentences.
"New York State is definitely on the side of, let's release the person if they don't have any serious prior record, if this is not one of the enumerated offenses for which they're serious enough that bail can be set," said criminal defense attorney Barry Covert.
Police said it's possible both suspects may have attempted to steal another car in Springville on Wednesday.
Jeff Preval is an award-winning anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in December 2021. See more of his work here.