Juveniles charged after leading police on three-county pursuit

CORTLANDVILLE, N.Y. (WHCU) – Two juveniles are facing charges after leading authorities on a car chase.

State Police were dispatched to a reported gas station burglary on Webb Road in the Town of Cortlandville on Tuesday, July 18. Troopers recognized a Kia model car at the scene that had been reported stolen in the City of Syracuse earlier in the day and attempted to make a traffic stop. The driver took off and led police in pursuit through Tompkins, Cortland, and Onondaga counties, continuing to drive on flat tires and rims after authorities deployed tire deflation devices.

The vehicle finally stopped on the side of I-81 near the Town of Lafayette. Two males, ages 15 and 16, both of Syracuse, exited the car and tried to flee into a nearby wooded area but were taken into custody. Authorities say the vehicle was filled with stolen items.

Each juvenile is charged with felony possession of stolen property. The 16-year-old driver was also charged with a misdemeanor for fleeing an officer in a motor vehicle.