UTICA, NY – Police in Utica say a suspect in a stolen car drove off after being approached by officers, intentionally tying to cause harm to the officers and police vehicles.
According to police, at approximately 6:05 PM Utica Police units were dispatched to the area of Second St and Blandina St regarding a stolen vehicle report from a neighboring jurisdiction. This vehicle had been stolen in a robbery involving a handgun earlier in the week.
“The officers located the vehicle in a driveway on the 800 block of Second St. As they approached they noticed it to be occupied and continued to make an approach to the driver’s side. They began to attempt to speak with the driver, however as they were doing this the driver revved the engine in an attempt to flee; the vehicle was in park at this time, however,” the department said. “Upon noticing that the driver was attempting to flee, an officer attempted to open the door to remove the driver and place him under arrest. The door was opened and this time the driver began to reverse the vehicle. The officer attempted to move from the path of the vehicle, however, the driver accelerated rapidly striking the officer causing him to fall to the ground, and the vehicle proceeded backward again striking the officer.”
Police said the suspect continued reversing at a high rate of speed and intentionally backed directly into the driver’s side of a police cruiser, causing extensive damage.
“The vehicle then sped away a short distance and a pursuit was initiated. During the course of the pursuit both the operator and a front seat passenger jumped from the vehicle and fled on foot. The vehicle continued until it struck a pole and came to a rest,” police said.
A foot pursuit was initiated for both parties, and after a short chase, both were apprehended.
After detaining both parties it was learned that the operator was 16 years of age and the passenger was 15. The 15-year-old was charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the fourth degree and released on an Appearance Ticket to return to Oneida County Family Court. Their names were not released by the UPD due to their ages.
The 16-year-old was transported to Central Arraignment Processing at the Oneida County Jail.
The officer was not seriously injured, suffering only minor scrapes and bruises.