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Ron Wlowich and Debra Saftner assessed the damage to their property on Thursday morning. They say teens driving a stolen pick-up truck drove through their yard the night before. - Jason Emiry/NNSL photo

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Two male youths, driving what residents say was a stolen truck, went on a rampage Wednesday night, smashing into the yards of at least two residences along Rycon Drive.

The truck entered the parking lot at Shaganappy Apartments around 11 p.m., according to Danny Hudson, a security officer at Shaganappy.

"They were going to ditch the truck but saw us come out and they decided to take off," said Hudson. "We called the RCMP. The truck hit a trailer and went down the hill. Seconds later we heard a loud bang."

The truck crashed through a fence and onto the front lawn of Debra Saftner and Ron Wlowich's house.

"They drove over a 10-inch tree and broke it off at the base," said Wlowich.

"The passenger side of the truck was damaged badly. When the truck stopped the passenger fell out and the youth started running."

The RCMP responded quickly to the scene as they were already at Shaganappy Apartments responding to the call made by Hudson.

"The driver went up the street and hid in a driveway," said Wlowich. "He left and ran up the hill to hide in a bush. The RCMP used a dog to catch him. The youth cried out, 'Let me go' and was caught."

"One of the constables said he had just finished his probation (for a different offence) on Monday," said Wlowich.

The incident could have been much worse. The truck came very close to the house but only caused minimal damage to some siding.

"I'm happy he didn't get killed," said Wlowich.

The couple were landscaping their front yard.

"We hadn't even finished yet," said Saftner. "Now we'll have to start over."

The truck was stolen from Con Mine, according to the couple.

"I don't think the kids were smart enough to hot-wire the truck," said Wlowich. "The keys must have been left in it because the RCMP were able to start the vehicle when they arrived."

Saftner and Wlowich said they were happy with the RCMP's quick response time to the scene. One block away another residence also suffered damages. A white fence was destroyed. The owner is currently out of town.

"He's on vacation right now," said Wlowich. "He won't be impressed when he gets home."

The 16-year-old driver was charged with dangerous driving, three counts of mischief, one count of taking a motor vehicle without consent and three counts of breach of probation. He appeared in Territorial Court to answer to the charges yesterday and was scheduled to appear in court again today.

The passenger was still at large at press time yesterday.