Five underage teens arrested after crashing into multiple East Haven police cars in stolen vehicle

Five teenagers between the ages of 14 and 15 were arrested Wednesday morning in East Haven after the stolen car they were traveling in hit several police cruisers as they attempted to flee, police said.

Several officers in the area of the East Haven Police Department reportedly spotted the stolen Hyundai with five teen occupants driving southbound on North High Street just after 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The car was later confirmed to be stolen out of New Haven, police said.

When the driver saw officers in the area, they turned the vehicle down Hudson Street, which is a dead end, police said. With nowhere to go, the driver attempted to turn around and hit several cruisers in the process before coming to a stop in the grass, according to police.

Joseph Melillo Middle School and the East Haven Academy were put into lockdown while the incident was taking place as a precaution, police said.

The five teens were taken into custody without further incident, police said. One teen was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, three counts of assault on police, first-degree criminal trover and third-degree burglary. Another was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, third-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary, possession of burglars tools and conspiracy to possess burglars tools. Two others were each charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle and third-degree burglary, and the final teen was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle.

The investigation is ongoing, police said.