3 Teens Arrested After Racing, Crashing On I-91 In Wallingford: Police

WALLINGFORD, CT — Three teens were arrested after police said they were racing in stolen vehicles and crashed on I-91 South in Wallingford on Tuesday afternoon.

State troopers responded around 2:15 p.m. to I-91 South in the area of Exit 13 in Wallingford on the report of a two-vehicle crash. Troopers determined that the drivers and passengers of both vehicles ran from the scene, according to Connecticut State Police.

Witnesses provided police with a description of the drivers and passengers. Both vehicles were also found to be reported as stolen, according to police. Witnesses also said that both vehicles were speeding before the collision.

Wallingford police found three males matching the description of those seen leaving the scene and detained them, according to Connecticut State Police.

A state police K-9 unit conducted a track from the scene to the three suspects where the K-9 alerted to them, police said.

The suspects were later identified as Robert John Barbera, 18, of Meriden, and a 15-year-old juvenile and a 13-year-old juvenile. All three were then taken into custody by Connecticut State Police.

Police said Barbera and the 15-year-old juvenile were found to be in the possession of marijuana.

Barbera was charged with larceny of motor vehicle – third offense, first-degree reckless endangerment, interfering with an officer, racing, reckless driving, evading responsibility of a motor vehicle accident, failure to maintain proper lane, first-degree criminal trover, possession of a controlled substance less than 1.5g, risk of injury to minor and operating without a license. He was unable to post a $100,000 bond and was taken to the New Haven Correctional Center, according to police. He was scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday morning.

The 15-year-old juvenile was charged with larceny of motor vehicle – second offense, first-degree reckless endangerment, interfering with an officer, racing, reckless driving, evading responsibility of a motor vehicle accident, failure to maintain proper lane, first-degree criminal trover, operating without a license, and possession of a controlled substance. He was issued a juvenile summons and was taken to Hartford Juvenile Detention on an order to detain order and was scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday morning, according to police.

The 13-year-old juvenile was charged with larceny of motor vehicle – second offense, first-degree reckless endangerment, interfering with officer, racing, reckless driving, evading responsibility, failure to maintain proper lane, and first-degree criminal trover. He was issued a juvenile summons and was taken to the Hartford Juvenile Detention Center on a take into custody order and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 18.