Teens Accused Of Abandoning Stolen Car In Trumbull Arrested: Police

TRUMBULL, CT — Four New Haven teenagers accused of abandoning a stolen car after trying to enter vehicles in the parking lot of a Trumbull Marriott hotel were arrested Wednesday, according to police.

In a news release, Police Lt. Brian Weir said the department received a report around 6:30 p.m. of four people pulling on car door handles in the parking lot of a Marriott hotel on Hawley Lane. An officer responded to the hotel and found teens matching the description of the suspects walking through the parking lot as they left the area.

The officer told the teens to stop, however they ran away and fled through some woods nearby. The group eventually ran into a Best Buy store, where police caught up to them, Weir said.

Officers checked the area and found a red 2013 Hyundai Sonata GLS, which was reported stolen to Shelton police earlier that day, parked in back of the hotel, Weir said.

According to Weir, the Hyundai was found unoccupied with the engine running, a window shattered and the ignition broken. A USB cord, a tool commonly used to start Hyundai cars and steal them after removing the ignition cover, was also found on the driver's side floor.

After further investigation, police learned a blue Hyundai had been recovered in Shelton, which had been reported stolen to West Haven police Monday. According to Weir, the blue Hyundai was driven to Shelton by the teens, where they abandoned it before stealing the red Hyundai.

All four teens, ranging in ages from 13-15, were arrested and charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle and interfering with police. One of the teens was also listed as a missing person by New Haven police in April, Weir said.

All four teens were released to the custody of their guardians and are scheduled to appear in court this week, Weir said.