2 juveniles charged with attempted vehicle theft in West Haven

WEST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — West Haven police say two juveniles were arrested Wednesday morning for tampering with a vehicle and fleeing from police.

Officers were in the area of Knox and Canton streets when around 2:40 a.m., they noticed a group of minors vehicle tampering.

One male juvenile was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit and the rest fled in a stolen Kia.

A brief pursuit of the Kia- across the parking lot- ended in the arrest of a female occupant. The vehicle’s other occupants fled on foot.

Police said the juveniles were found with USB cords, which are known to be used for stealing Kia’s.

The male juvenile was charged with larceny of motor of a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, possession of burglary tools, interfering with an officer, payment card theft, and third-degree criminal attempt at burglary.

The female juvenile was charged with larceny of motor of a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, and interfering with an officer.

They were both issued summons and will appear in New Haven Juvenile court on a future date, police said.

The minors’ ages are unknown, according to police. No injuries were reported.

A viral social media challenge has spurred Kia and Hyundai thefts nationwide. The challenge targets certain model years that lack anti-theft controls.

Hartford police are among the departments in Connecticut that give out steering locks to residents with qualifying vehicles.

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