Teen Crashes In Stolen Vehicle, Gets Arrested: East Haven Police

EAST HAVEN, CT — A juvenile was arrested after crashing in a stolen vehicle early Friday morning in East Haven, according to police.

Police responded around 3:50 a.m. on May 9 to James Street on the report of a stolen vehicle, according to Capt. Joseph M. Murgo.

While responding, Murgo said Officer Matthew Longobardi saw the suspect vehicle, a white Hyundai Elantra, heading south on Columbus Avenue.

“Upon noticing the officer’s presence, the driver attempted to evade by abruptly turning right, striking a stop sign at the intersection of Columbus Avenue and Main Street, and continuing to Charter Oak Avenue at a high rate of speed.” Murgo wrote in a news release. “Officer Longobardi followed the vehicle down Warner Avenue to Church Street and initiated a motor vehicle stop at the intersection of St. Paul Avenue and Charter Oak Avenue. The vehicle ultimately came to a stop on Charter Oak Avenue as Officer Dean Bibens approached from the opposite direction. The juvenile exited the vehicle and was taken into custody without further incident.”

The juvenile was found to be in possession of a stun gun and a flat-head screwdriver, which Murgo said is a tool commonly associated with motor vehicle theft.

The stolen vehicle was returned to its owner with minimal damage, according to Murgo.

The juvenile was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, engaging police in pursuit, criminal possession of an electronic defense weapon, illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, possession of burglary tools, operating a motor vehicle under suspension, and failure to drive in proper lane.

The juvenile was later released to a guardian and was scheduled to appear at the Superior Court for Juvenile Matters on Friday, according to Murgo.

“This case remains under investigation as officers work to identify and locate additional individuals believed to be involved,” Murgo wrote. “We are asking East Haven residents who live in the area to check their camera footage for additional suspects who may have been in the area at the time of this incident.”