Two Salisbury teenagers charged with stealing van from YMCA parking lot

Published 12:00 am Friday, June 15, 2018

SALISBURY — Two teenagers and a juvenile were charged Wednesday with stealing a van from the YMCA parking lot.

The three were arrested after they walked up to a Salisbury police officer.

Police charged Antonio Shahid Engram, 16, of the 1300 block of Tabernacle Street, with felony motor vehicle theft and Tyjae Nickili Polk, also 16, of the 800 block of Lincolnton Road, with felony motor vehicle theft, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor failure to appear or comply.

A 13-year-old was also involved, officials said.

A woman reported that her vehicle was stolen from the Hurley Family YMCA parking lot, 828 W. Jake Alexander Blvd., about 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Authorities checked surveillance video and determined the teens stole a number of keys from the locker room and found a Honda Odyssey about 3:15 p.m.

A witness told police that a similar vehicle was parked behind Hall’s Gym.

A Rowan County Sheriff’s Office deputy spotted the vehicle and tried to stop it, but the teens ran from the vehicle.

Police Capt. Melonie Thompson was with the van’s owner trying to track the vehicle through a cellphone that was believed to be still in the van. Thompson drove her unmarked police vehicle onto Boyden Road near Stanley Street and saw the teenagers walking toward her.

When she asked them where they were headed, the teens told her they were walking to a nearby park. The teens matched the description of those seen on the surveillance video and the description given by the deputy who saw them run from the van.

Before their arrest, one of the teens was seen throwing something into the grass. The owner of the van identified the item as her Ray-Ban sunglasses, which had been in her van. Her cellphone and other items were not recovered.

Officers said by the time they recovered the van, the teens had torn off bumper stickers the woman had put on the van.

Engram remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $25,000. Polk is being held under a $30,300 secured bond.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.