Pawnee Co. Sheriff recalls arrest of 3 teens accused of van theft, marijuana trafficking

Pawnee County deputies arrest three teenagers on the run from Iowa after they say they stole a van there and ended up in Oklahoma.

Deputies say they found more than 10 pounds of marijuana, in individual baggies inside the van.

Investigators say the van was reported stolen in Iowa on Thursday morning, then Pawnee County deputies received a call from Sirius Satellite Radio saying the stolen van had been ringing in the Hallett area.

Officers arrived on scene to check, and that's when they say the teens came out of a home to check for marijuana and came face to face with officers.

Deputies say they found the stolen van on a cul-de-sac in Hallett.

“As me and the other deputy pull off the highway, the vehicle is there in the open where we can see it clearly,” Sheriff Darrin Varnell said.

Deputies say while they were looking around the van, two teens came out of a house, saw deputies and left.

“A neighbor came and told me two kids just jumped my fence and ran away. The deputy goes looking for them while I take care of the van. He comes back, doesn't find them, then everything all of a sudden this neighbor comes in and has a juvenile, a man and a woman, and says, I just found these two hiding on my property,” Sheriff Varnell said.

Officers searched the van and said they found bags of marijuana ready to be sold. They say a few hours later, a third teen called 911 and drove to a nearby gas station.

Deputies say they learned the teens were in the Hallett area because one of them knew someone in the area through online gaming.

“There was a lot of blame, but what we learned from the one minor who initially ran was that he had been there for maybe an hour and had gone outside to check his marijuana when he saw us and he took off and ran,” Chief Varnell said.

Deputies say the three teens were arrested for the stolen car and marijuana. They say one of the teens had a warrant out for arson and assault.