New Haven Independent

Here’s what happened, according to Sgt. Tony Reyes:

The victim told police he had left his car warming up in the vicinity of Irving and Norton streets when he saw two teens jump in and drive away.

The victim and his family got in another car and cruised the neighborhood looking for the Neon. Around 4:30 p.m. they spotted the Neon. They followed the thieves, and called the cops. A chase ensued; the thieves crashed the car around Mead Street and Derby Avenue.

Officer Elise Touzzoli arrived on the scene to see the crash and see the theft victim struggling inside the crashed car with the alleged thieves, trying to restrain them.

The alleged thieves eventually broke away. By that time several cops had arrived on the scene. They chased the teens and arrested them without incident. They were charged with theft of a motor vehicle. One was 15, the other 17.

Originally there was a report of gunshots in connection with the incident, but it turned out the boys were unarmed, according to Sgt. Reyes. He said the loud sound was probably the car crashing.