3 Teens Arrested After Crashing Stolen Car: Trumbull Police

TRUMBULL, CT — Three teens accused of crashing a stolen car into a tree after fleeing from Trumbull officers were arrested last week, according to police.

In a news release, Police Lt. Brian Weir said a 16-year-old Norwich resident and two Stratford residents, ages 14 and 15, were arrested Friday and charged with first-degree larceny and interfering with police. The 14-year-old was also charged with carrying a dangerous weapon.

According to Weir, an officer patrolling the parking lot of the Westfield Trumbull mall around 7:30 p.m. spotted a Kia Optima with New York registration that had been reported stolen earlier that day from New York City.

When the officer started to follow the car, the driver left the parking lot and drove through nearby residential streets in an attempt to lose the officer, Weir said.

The car continued down Old Town Road, then sped down Park Avenue before striking another vehicle and the center median near the entrance to Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, running off the road and hitting a tree, Weir said.

After the crash, the driver and three passengers exited the car and ran from police. Bridgeport and Fairfield police both responded to the area to help find the teens, Weir said.

A Trumbull officer arrested the 16-year-old and a Trumbull Police K9 tracked down the 15-year-old in a wooded area between nearby houses, Weir said.

Fairfield police arrested the 14-year-old, who was carrying a large kitchen knife, near Sacred Heart University. A fourth teen was not arrested, Weir said.

The 15-year-old sustained minor injuries as a result of the crash and was taken to St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport. No other injuries were reported, Weir said.

All three teens were later released to the custody of their guardians on a promise to appear in court later this month, Weir said.