SYRACUSE, NY – On Tuesday, October 10th, 2023, a 17-year-old led Syracuse Police Officers on a high-speed chase in a stolen car and was later arrested in possession of a 9mm handgun. According to a statement from the Syracuse Police Department, Officers Rich and Gilheney spotted a stolen blue Hyundai in the area of Wyoming Street and West Fayette Street around 10:07 p.m.
Upon confirming the vehicle was stolen from the Nob Hill Apartments earlier in the day, the officers attempted to make a traffic stop. However, the teen driver fled at a high speed on I-690. Due to safety concerns, officers chose not to pursue directly, instead following at a safe distance. The vehicle ultimately stopped in the 300 block of Teall Avenue, where the teen fled on foot but was apprehended on Winston Street.
The teen was charged with multiple offenses including “Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree, and Resisting Arrest,” according to the police statement. He was booked into Hillbrook Detention Center.
Additionally, the 17-year-old was already wanted in connection with a burglary incident that occurred in July 2023 at a store on Butternut Street. He is accused of breaking into the store and stealing cash and tobacco products. The police also noted that the teen had been seen posting with weapons on his social media accounts at least 20 times.
“We’d like to thank Officers Rich and Gilheney for their keen observation skills in spotting this stolen vehicle, and helping to get another weapon out of the hands of our youth, and off of the streets of Syracuse,” the department said.