Three teenagers trying to get to the New Jersey shore in a stolen car ended up in Lancaster County instead after they went the wrong way on Route 896, police said. Now two of them face charges.
Police said the trio hit a retaining wall in Upper Oxford Township, Chester County, and drove away Monday morning. State police were notified the vehicle was headed north and started looking for it.
Police said they found the teens outside the disabled vehicle on 896 at White Oak Road in Paradise Township at about 10 a.m.
Inside the car were stolen items, including credit cards, that had been taken from vehicles in Springfield, Delaware County, authorities said.
Police said they also found drug paraphernalia.
Police offered this account:
The trio was stealing items out of vehicles in Springfield when they found the keys inside one. They stole the vehicle and drove around for a time, smoking pot.
They then decided to head to the beach at Wildwood, but they went the wrong way, ending up in Lancaster County.
Dominic V. Gyukity, 18, of Springfield, was charged with receiving stolen property/automobile theft, receiving stolen property (for possessing the stolen credit cards), driving under the influence/drug-related, corruption of minors and driving without a license.
John M. McHugh, 18, also of Springfield, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
A 16-year-old who was with them is not facing charges at this time, but the investigation is continuing.
