Two CT juveniles arrested following recent increase in motor vehicle thefts
Two juveniles were arrested Wednesday after police received a report of attempted vehicle thefts in Westport and reportedly witnessed two stolen cars leaving the area.
On Wednesday, police confirmed an increase in stolen vehicle attempts, stolen vehicles and car break-ins over the past several weeks in Westport, warning the public that the cars that were stolen or illegally entered were left unlocked.
According to police, a recent incident involved five masked individuals who were allegedly observed entering a garage and attempting to steal the vehicle inside.
“The group came to the area in a car which had been stolen from another jurisdiction,” police said Wednesday.
Officers were called to Hills Point Road near Compo Beach around 11:45 p.m. Wednesday after a 911 call reported two individuals attempting to enter vehicles, according to the Westport Police Department.
Westport officers, along with members of the Bridgeport Auto Theft Task Force, responded to the scene to set up a perimeter, police said.
According to police, two vehicles, reportedly stolen from other cities, were seen leaving the area. Westport police attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
Neither vehicle stopped and officers chose not to pursue, police said. Members of BATF, driving unmarked cars, followed one of the vehicles to Interstate 95 where it was stopped in Stratford.
Two juveniles from Danbury, ages 14 and 17, were taken into custody, according to police.
The juvenile driver was charged with engaging police in pursuit, criminal attempt to assault a public safety officer, first-degree larceny of a motor vehicle and interfering with an officer.
The juvenile passenger was charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny and interfering with an officer.
Both juveniles were released to their parents with a court date in Danbury Juvenile Court, police said.
“Westport Police would like to thank the public for remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious activity to the police,” Westport Lt. Eric Woods said in a release on Thursday.