Teens In Stolen Car Nearly Strike Police Cruiser: Hamden PD

HAMDEN, CT — Two 14-year-old girls were arrested after police say they were traveling in a stolen vehicle, nearly struck a police cruiser, hit a parked car and then abandoned the stolen vehicle Wednesday morning in Hamden. At about 9:30 a.m. May 6, Officer Betty Montijo saw a vehicle “traveling recklessly” on Whitney Avenue, according to Capt. Ronald Smith.

Smith said the vehicle nearly struck Montijo’s police cruiser and she tried to pull the vehicle over, but it “continued at a high rate of speed.”

The vehicle, which was reported stolen out of Cromwell, turned onto Fern Street. Montijo saw the vehicle “slowly rolling” in the roadway, Smith said.

“The stolen vehicle struck a parked vehicle,” Smith said. “The two female juvenile occupants abandoned the vehicle and subsequently fled on foot. Shortly thereafter, they were apprehended by Officer Derick Manning and Officer Jeremy Brewer.”

The two 14-year-old girls are both New Haven residents. The driver of the stolen vehicle was charged with reckless driving, engaging an officer in pursuit, evading responsibility and second-degree larceny.

The passenger was charged with conspiracy to commit second-degree larceny and interfering with a police officer.

They are scheduled to appear in Juvenile Court in New Haven at a later date.