FROM STAFF REPORTS

Two males suspected of breaking into and stealing multiple vehicles in the Pelham, Hoover and North Shelby area are at large after an early morning manhunt proved unsuccessful.

At approximately 3 a.m. Dec. 18, Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 5500 block of Parkside Drive to investigate a report of a person with a weapon, according to a sheriff’s office press release.

The suspect left the area in a white Acura prior to the deputies’ arrival. A short time later, a vehicle matching the car description was traveling on Cahaba Valley Trace. The vehicle’s driver refused to stop and attempted to elude deputies, according to the press release.

The suspect lost control of the vehicle and crashed at the intersection of Cahaba Valley Road and Eagle Crest Drive. Two black males fled on foot from the scene, and the white Acura was discovered to be a stolen car from Pelham, the press release stated.

Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies, along with Hoover and Pelham police, began searching for the two suspects. At 5:37 a.m., sheriff’s deputies responded to a stolen vehicle report in the 1100 block of Eagle Park Road.

The vehicle stolen was a black 2009 Chevrolet 2500 Silverado truck. The truck reportedly contained a hunting rifle. Law enforcement officials believe the suspects stole the truck and left the area.

In addition, numerous vehicles in the area have been broken into, according to the press release.

The black truck was later found unoccupied by Birmingham police officers on Seventh Avenue in Wylam. The rifle was not recovered.

After officers searched for three hours, the area was reopened to the public. The suspects are at large and should be considered armed and dangerous, the press release stated.

Anyone with any information about this crime should contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at 669-4181, through the secret witness line at 669-9116 or through the website at ShelbySO.com by clicking on the “report criminal activity” link and choosing the “general information” category.