A Rock Island man, Isaiah Gutierrez, 19, was arrested and is now being held in the Scott County Jail after a stolen truck he was in was driven by an unlicensed 15-year-old who led police on a brief pursuit before crashing into a light pole in Davenport on November 13.
According to the criminal complaint, Davenport Police officers first noticed the truck at approximately 12:39 a.m. as it drove the wrong way—northbound on Harrison Street from Second Street. The truck had no license plates, and the driver was a 15-year-old who did not possess a valid driver’s license.
An officer in a marked squad car attempted to stop the vehicle in the 600 block of Main Street, activating lights and sirens. The truck initially stopped, but before the officer could exit the squad car, the vehicle sped off eastbound on Sixth Street, refusing to pull over.
The truck continued its erratic path until it struck a light pole in the 600 block of Brady Street, coming to a stop about 100 feet south of the impact. After the crash, Gutierrez reportedly fled the scene on foot, running westbound on Brady Street, but was quickly apprehended by officers who arrived shortly after.
Further investigation revealed that the truck had been reported stolen out of Rock Island, Illinois. Additionally, police found the truck’s license plates in the truck bed.
Gutierrez has been charged with first-degree theft, a felony, for possession of the stolen vehicle, as well as interference with official acts, a misdemeanor, for fleeing from officers, seatbelt violations, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor for being involved in the illegal activity with the unlicensed driver.
Gutierrez is currently being held at the Scott County Jail on a $7,500 cash-only bond, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for November 22.
This incident highlights the dangers of driving by minors without a license and the consequences that can follow from criminal actions involving stolen property and interference with law enforcement efforts.