High-End Car Theft Suspect Nabbed After Chase Across Westchester

HARRISON, NY — Police say that a suspected car thief drew the attention of a neighbor while casing high-end vehicles in a Westchester neighborhood.

The Harrison Police Department announced the arrest of 19-year-old Devlin J. Lavallee of Middlebury, Connecticut, in connection with the grand larceny of a vehicle in West Harrison.

On Thanksgiving morning, a West Harrison resident reported suspicious activity to the Harrison Police Department, describing two vehicles, a white Mercedes-Benz and a dark-colored Audi A5, driving along Columbus Avenue. The occupants of the vehicles were attempting to pull on door handles of parked cars, according to the eyewitness.

Harrison police soon arrived at the scene, and a pursuit began of the black Audi A5, after the driver refused to pull over. The Audi A5 was pursued by police departments from Harrison, North Castle, and Yonkers, along with Westchester County police. The vehicle ultimately crashed on Buena Vista Avenue in Yonkers, where the driver fled on foot.

After a brief foot chase, Lavallee was apprehended by Westchester County police.

The Audi 5 was stolen from West Harrison that morning.

Lavallee faces multiple charges, including felony third degree grand larceny, felony criminal mischief, felony third degree criminal possession of stolen property, unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, reckless driving and an assortment of traffic violations.

"The Harrison Police Department would like to commend the officers involved for their quick and coordinated response to this incident and would also like to thank Westchester County’s Real Time Crime Center for their assistance," police officials said in a statement released on Monday.

Lavallee was arraigned and released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to appear in Harrison Town Court on December 10.