Armed teen plows stolen car into brick mailboxes during Columbia chase, cops say

A teen driver faces a slew of charges after crashing a stolen car into some brick mailboxes while trying to flee Columbia police.

Police were notified Monday afternoon that a Chevrolet Malibu stolen after a carjacking in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, was traveling through Columbia, according to a release from the Columbia Police Department. Officers spotted the car on Norman Street and initiated a traffic stop, but the driver sped away, refusing to stop for the police lights and sirens.

The pursuit continued to the intersection of Farrow and Christian roads, where the car crashed into two brick mailboxes, police said. The driver ran away from the crash scene but was arrested by officers across the street. A handgun was found on the ground near where he was apprehended.

Police identified the driver as 17-year-old James Oxendine Jr., 17. Oxendine is charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a firearm by a person under the age of 18, unlawful carrying of a pistol, hit and run, reckless driving, failure to stop for blue lights and sirens, failure to stop on police command and no driver’s license, according to police.

Oxendine was taken to a local hospital after the crash as a precaution but has been released and placed in the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, police said.