Westchester High-Speed, 20-Mile Police Chase Ends In Connecticut

MOUNT KISCO, NY — Three would-be thieves, interrupted at a Hudson Valley shopping center, made a desperate attempt to escape justice, but not even a run for the border could help them elude the eye in the sky.

The Westchester County Police Department says that officers responded to a parking lot on North Bedford Road on Thursday, around 2 p.m., after a report of three people attempting to break into cars. When a marked patrol car arrived, the trio fled in an Audi sedan with Connecticut plates.

An officer tried to stop them on North Bedford Road, but did not engage in a pursuit because of traffic and the reckless way police say the Audi was being driven. The officer reported the description of the suspect vehicle and its direction of travel.

WCPD Aviation was soon overhead and spotted the Audi on the northbound Saw Mill River Parkway, where it was traveling at speeds of over 100 miles per hour. The suspect vehicle then entered I-684 North where it continued to be tracked from above. The Audi then entered I-84 East and headed for the Connecticut border.

The helicopter tracking the fleeing car from above kept in regular communication with WCPD, New York State Police and Connecticut State Police.

WCPD says the high-speed, 20-mile escape attempt came to an end when spike strips were deployed.

"We're guessing the trio felt as deflated as the Audi's tires," WCPD said in a statement posted to social media.

But, the suspects weren't done yet, according to police, because they exited the vehicle and ran off. However, they were soon captured by police.

They now face charges in both New York and Connecticut.

WCPD praised all the agencies involved in the incident "for their effective communication and skillful collaboration that resulted in apprehending these suspects."

"Once again, the availability of the Aviation Unit helicopter negated the need for officers on the ground to engage in a high-speed pursuit," WCPD explained. "That minimizes risk to officers as well as the public. Aviation remains an invaluable resource for our Department and the entire law enforcement community."