Two juveniles were arrested on Dec. 29 for burglarizing cars in the area of Branhaven Drive in East Haven.

Police were dispatched at approximately 1:05 a.m. on Dec. 299 to the Branhaven Drive area on the report of a suspicious male in dark clothing walking up people's driveways. As officers arrived in teh area, they encountered a red Toyota Rav 4 pulled to the side of the road with its engine running but lights off. Officers approached the vehicle and the operator fled at a high rate of speed, almost striking a marked police vehicle.

The Rav 4 continued westbound on Foxon Road, and at one point an officer was able to get behind the vehicle and obtain a license plate number. The plate number revealed that the car had been stolen out of Hamden on Dec. 28. Because of the reckless nature of the operator's driving, officers did not engage the stolen vehicle in a pursuit. It was last seen headed west bound on Foxon Road into New Haven.  

Recognizing that the fleeing stolen vehicle probably dropped off and was waiting for individuals burglarizing cars in the area, officers searched the Branhaven Drive area and located two male juvenile suspects. One suspect was detained after being found hiding in the woods behind a house and the second suspect was detained after being found walking down Branhaven Drive. The juvenile suspects admitted to being in the stolen vehicle prior to getting dropped off in the neighborhood and stated the fleeing car was their ride home.

A Connecticut State Police Trooper and his K-9 partner responded to the scene and conducted a track in an attempt to locate additional suspects. No additional suspects were located.

A witness, who approached officers outside stated his Ring Camera alerted him to motion on his property which is when he observed the Toyota Rav 4 turn off its lights, maneuver into position, and let several occupants out. The witness stated the Toyota Rav 4 followed the suspects on foot up the street with its lights off as the suspects walked up driveways and entered cars.

Both juveniles, who were not identified because of their age, were placed under arrest and transported to the East Haven Police Department for processing. They were both charged with four counts of burglary in the third degree, larceny in the first degree, four counts of conspiracy to commit burglary in the third degree. Both juveniles were turned over to their respective guardians and are scheduled to appear in juvenile court on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

In total, it was determined that approximately four vehicles at four different residences were entered with various items stolen. It was also learned that all of the vehicles accessed were left unlocked. There were no signs of forced entry to any of the entered vehicles, which highlights the importance of locking up at night. A combination of adequate lighting, security cameras and locking up each and every night can combat most overnight thefts in town. If any of residents catch suspicious activity on their security cameras, police urge them to pass the footage along to the East Haven Police Department.