ORCHARD PARK — Five Buffalo teenagers were arrested Wednesday morning after leading police on a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle while allegedly attempting vehicle break-ins in residential neighborhoods.
The Orchard Park Police Department received a call at approximately 7 a.m. July 16 from a resident on Autumn Lane reporting a suspicious gray Jeep Grand Cherokee driving slowly in the neighborhood.
The caller reported that two occupants exited the vehicle, entered her property and began running toward her vehicle in the driveway.
The caller said she “scared them off” and the vehicle departed at a high rate of speed.
A short time later, a resident on South Lane called to report that two males wearing ski masks exited a gray Jeep and ran up their neighbor’s driveway.
A patrol unit arrived in the area and observed a gray Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The officer provided dispatch the license plate number and learned the vehicle was stolen out of Amherst.
The officer observed an occupant exit the vehicle, but upon seeing the officer, the person reentered the vehicle and it departed at a high rate of speed.
The officer attempted a traffic stop but the vehicle failed to yield and continued fleeing at a high rate of speed.
A second officer arrived and deployed “stop sticks” on the fleeing vehicle.
The deployment was successful and caused deflation of the vehicle’s tires.
The disabled vehicle continued fleeing for approximately 3 miles until it lost control on New Armor Duells Road.
All five occupants exited the vehicle and fled on foot.
Two occupants were taken into custody in close proximity to the vehicle while three others scaled a fence and entered properties on Armor Duells Road.
A perimeter was formed and the three outstanding suspects were captured by officers in foot chases a short time later.
All juvenile occupants were transported to the Orchard Park Police Department where they were each released to a parent on appearance tickets per New York State law.
The 16-year-old driver from Buffalo was charged with over 30 New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law violations, reckless driving, unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle 3rd, criminal possession of stolen property 3rd, conspiracy 5th, assault 3rd, obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest.
The four other occupants — three 16-year-olds and one 15-year-old, all from Buffalo — were charged with criminal possession of stolen property 3rd, conspiracy 5th, obstruction of governmental administration and resisting arrest.
All will appear in Erie County Family Court to answer the criminal charges on a future date.
