EAST HAVEN — A juvenile was arrested early Friday after allegedly stealing a vehicle and leading police on a chase that ended with a damaged stop sign.
Officers responded to a James Street address at approximately 3:51 a.m. for a stolen vehicle complaint, according to East Haven police.
Officer Matthew Longobardi spotted the stolen white Hyundai Elantra traveling southbound on Columbus Avenue during his response.
The driver attempted to evade police by making an abrupt right turn, striking a stop sign at the intersection of Columbus Avenue and Main Street before speeding away on Charter Oak Avenue.
Longobardi followed the vehicle down Warner Avenue to Church Street and initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of St. Paul Avenue and Charter Oak Avenue.
The vehicle stopped as Officer Dean Bibens approached from the opposite direction, and the juvenile exited the vehicle and was taken into custody without further incident.
Police found the juvenile in possession of a stun gun and a flat-head screwdriver, which authorities described as a tool commonly associated with motor vehicle theft.
The stolen vehicle was returned to its owner with minimal damage, according to police.
The juvenile faces multiple charges including 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.
After processing at the East Haven Police Department, the juvenile was released to a guardian and is scheduled to appear at the Superior Court for Juvenile Matters on May 9.
Police are continuing to investigate and are working to identify additional suspects believed to be involved in the incident.
Authorities are asking East Haven residents in the area to check their camera footage for potential additional suspects who may have been present during the incident.
