A teenager who allegedly stole an SUV and drove into oncoming traffic in Springfield before abandoning the vehicle has been charged with stealing a vehicle before.

According to the Springfield Police Department, a 16-year-old boy was found after allegedly stealing a vehicle over the weekend wearing a malfunctioning ankle monitor from a previous vehicle theft.

So what happened when the boy was arrested this time?

“He met the criteria for incarceration, however placement was not available at any state juvenile facility, so he was released to a parent,” the police department said in a news release.

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Despite being released to his parent, the boy was charged with motor vehicle theft, theft of property, aggravated unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated fleeing and eluding, criminal damage to property and reckless driving.

The new charges were filed after police said the boy stole a GMC Acadia around 8 a.m. Oct. 26 from the 2500 block of Griffiths Avenue.

The SUV was then found abandoned on the railroad tracks under the Clearlake overpass near 19th and Washington streets, and a boy was seen running from the vehicle, Springfield police said. He was arrested in the 1700 block of East Reynolds Street.

The allegations come shortly after Springfield Police Chief Ken Scarlette spoke publicly about the impact of the closure Sangamon County Juvenile Detention Center last year.

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“We have juveniles who become emboldened, who are arrested with firearms, who we have to turn around and release back to their guardians and go home, and I think that sets a terrible precedent and a bad message for what we as citizens expect in our community,” said Scarlette at a the recent local council meeting.

The Sangamon County Juvenile Detention Center was approved for reopening once sufficient personnel are employed to operate the facility.

Tom Ackerman covers breaking news and trending news along with general news for the Springfield State Journal-Register. He can be reached at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on the State Journal-Register: Springfield teenager arrested, released after allegedly stealing SUV