5 juveniles charged in connection with stolen vehicle, police chase in Orchard Park
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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Five juveniles from Buffalo were charged after allegedly fleeing from police in a stolen vehicle early Wednesday morning in Orchard Park, police announced.
Around 7 a.m., a resident on Autumn Lane reported a suspicious gray Jeep Grand Cherokee driving slowly in the neighborhood, police said.
The caller said two people exited the vehicle and started going up to her vehicle on her property. She then "scared them off" and the vehicle left quickly, officials said. Shortly afterwards, a resident on South Lane reported two males who exited a Jeep and ran up their neighbor's driveway wearing ski masks.
Police in the area saw the Jeep and discovered that the vehicle was reported stolen out of Amherst. After police saw one of the juveniles exit the vehicle, the juvenile allegedly went back in and the vehicle left at a high rate of speed.
After police tried to stop the vehicle with a traffic stop, the vehicle allegedly continued to flee. Another officer arrived and stopped the vehicle with stop sticks. The vehicle then continued fleeing for three miles and lost control on New Armor Duells Road, officials said.
All five juveniles reportedly fled on foot. According to police, two were taken into custody near the vehicle and the remaining three climbed a fence and entered properties on Armor Duells Road. The three juveniles were then captured by police in foot chases.
The four 16 year old juveniles and one 15-year-old were transported to the Orchard Park Police Department. Per state law, they were all released to their parents on appearance tickets.
The 16-year-old driver of the vehicle was charged with the following:
- over 30 state vehicle and traffic law violations
- reckless driving
- third-degree unlawful fleeing of a police officer in a motor vehicle
- third-degree criminal possession of stolen property
- fifth-degree conspiracy
- third-degree assault
- obstructing governmental administration
- resisting arrest
The four remaining occupants were charged with third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, fifth-degree conspiracy, obstruction of governmental administration and resisting arrest.
They will all appear in Erie County Family Court at a future date.
Wednesday's chase marks the second police chase in the Orchard Park area involving juveniles so far this week. Three 17-year-old males were charged after allegedly fleeing from police in a stolen vehicle overnight on Tuesday across West Seneca, Orchard Park and Hamburg.
Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here.