Teen Charged In Car Theft/Police Chase In Southington: PD

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A 16-year-old male was taken into custody following a police chase on Sunday, Feb. 25, and charged by Southington police in connection with a car theft in the area.

During the chase and subsequent capture, Southington police had to crash a police vehicle into the stolen vehicle, which was abandoned and left moving in a local shopping center parking lot.

According to the SPD, the juvenile — who was not identified because of his age — was charged with first-degree criminal trover; larceny of a motor vehicle; second-degree larceny; second-degree criminal mischief; second-degree reckless endangerment; interfering with a police officer/resisting arrest; disorderly conduct; reckless driving; operating a motor vehicle without a license; failure to obey a traffic control signal; and failure to drive in the proper lane.

Police said this is the juvenile's third arrest, with other offenses dating back to 2022 and 2-23, including vehicle theft, "among other serious offenses."

He is now in the juvenile court system.

According to the SPD, at about 3 p.m. Sunday, officers were notified of a stolen vehicle traveling on West Street in town.

The vehicle was a red Kia Sorrento, and police said it was traveling at a high rate of speed and swerving into traffic while passing vehicles.

Police said the vehicle had four total occupants inside.

Responding officers, police said, noticed the Kia turn onto Executive Boulevard North, with more officers joining the chase.

The incident converged in the area of Target and Lowe's in Southington, with the vehicle being located in the rear parking lot.

"Upon seeing police, all four occupants exited the vehicle, leaving the transmission in drive and rolling toward a police vehicle, which was forced to collide with the vehicle to stop the vehicle and prevent danger to the property or pedestrians," wrote the SPD Monday.

Police were able to quickly apprehend the male driver and primary suspect, the SPD said.

He was taken to Southington police headquarters, where he was processed and charged.

Meanwhile, police also identified two 18-year-old females in the car and a 17-year-old juvenile female as well.

None of the three females in the vehicle were charged, police said, with the 18-year-olds released from the scene and the 17-year-old taken to the SPD and released to a parent.