CT juvenile in stolen car tried to flee police, then was arrested following string of thefts
A juvenile was arrested and is facing multiple charges after a string of thefts in Wallingford on Wednesday, police said.
The Wallingford Police Department responded to 51 South Whittlesey Ave. around 10:24 a.m. on Wednesday for the report of three juvenile males in dark clothing allegedly attempting to steal cars, damaging one in the process. According to police, the three suspects were traveling together in a silver Hyundai sedan along with a driver.
At 10:28 a.m., Wallingford police officers were dispatched to a Sunoco at 315 North Colony Road after a purse was reportedly stolen from an unoccupied vehicle by juvenile males wearing masks who were in a silver Hyundai sedan.
At 11:20 a.m., officers learned that a silver Hyundai sedan with by three juvenile males wearing dark clothing and masks allegedly attempted to steal a victim’s purse from their car at Pit Stop Gas Station at 66 Woodhouse Ave. According to police, the suspects dragged the victim approximately 20 feet and fled the scene. The victim was not injured, police said.
In all three cases, the suspects’ descriptions and vehicle matched. Police learned that the silver Hyundai was stolen out of New Haven. After the three incidents, the Hyundai was reportedly used to steal a red Ford Edge. Members of the Connecticut State Police Violent Crimes Task Force, with assistance from Wallingford police, tracked both stolen cars to Edwards Street and Read Street in New Haven, police said.
When officers located the Hyundai, stop sticks were used to prevent the car from fleeing. One male juvenile ran from officers but was quickly caught. He was determined to be the only person in the stolen Hyundai at the time and was placed under arrest, according to police. The Ford Edge was located and the driver fled. It was later found nearby unoccupied.
The juvenile who ran from the Hyundai is charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, interfering with an officer, criminal attempt at larceny of a motor vehicle, third-degree burglary, sixth-degree larceny, third-degree criminal attempt at burglary, sixth-degree criminal attempt at larceny and reckless endangerment.
He was issued a juvenile summons to appear at Superior Court Juvenile Matters in New Haven on Thursday.
Wallingford police’s patrol and detective divisions, along with the Connecticut State Police Violent Crimes Task Force, are investigating the incidents. Anyone with information is asked to contact Wallingford police at 203-294-2800 or go to www.police.wallingfordct.gov.