Juveniles Charged In Assault, Robbery At Synagogue: Police

NEW HAVEN, CT — Two juvenile males have been charged with hate crimes following a robbery and assault at a downtown synagogue, according to police. Three other juvenile males were also charged in connection with the incident.

On Tuesday around 7 p.m., police responded to a downtown synagogue for a robbery investigation. The victim told officers he was in the driveway when two young males yelled expletives at him, punched him multiple times knocking him to the ground, and stole his car.

After investigation, police confirmed the incident and spotted the stolen vehicle. Officers attempted to stop the car as it traveled in the area of Long Wharf Drive near I-95 but the driver refused to stop. Police pursued the vehicle onto the highway and to I-95 north in East Haven.

The chase ended when the stolen vehicle crash in the area of Frontage Road in East Haven. No injuries were reported in the wreck.

Officers seized a handgun in the vehicle and ammunition from the pants pocket of one of the teens. The five teens, which include a 15-year-old, three 16-year-olds, and a 17-year-old, have been charged with first-degree robbery, weapon in a motor vehicle, first-degree larceny, and conspiracy charges.

Due to their existing criminal history, four of the five have also been charged with criminal possession of a firearm and conspiracy charges.

The two 16-year-olds who were identified as the primary assailants in the robbery were also charged with hate crimes, third-degree assault, and conspiracy charges.

NHPD Assistant Chief of Investigations Karl Jacobson thanked the East Haven Police Department and said, “The East Haven officers risked their own safety and we appreciate the great assistance they provided.”