TAMPA, FL (WFLA) – Five juvenile suspects are behind bars following their arrest Saturday by officers with the Tampa and Clearwater Police Departments with some assistance from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
The names of the teenage boys are being withheld because of their age.
According to a Tampa Police Department report, the suspects were being sought in connection with a string of crimes that occurred over the past two days. Among the incidents the juveniles may have been involved in, there is a carjacking, a robbery and an auto burglary.
Investigators say the vehicle they stole and were apprehended in on Saturday was taken at gunpoint just after 6 p.m. Friday at the Meridian Pointe apartment complex on East Hillsborough Avenue.
The stolen car was spotted Saturday afternoon at Ben T. Davis Beach when Tampa Police officers were dispatched to investigate a possible auto burglary in the area. A TPD officer followed the Mercury Sable taken from Meridian Pointe west on the Courtney Campbell Causeway.
The officer followed the stolen vehicle at a normal, safe speed until backup arrived. With assistance from the Clearwater Police and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, they attempted a traffic stop but the driver of the car sped away.
It came to a stop following a short pursuit near the intersection of McMullen Booth and Enterprise roads. All five juveniles jumped out and attempted to flee on foot.
They were quickly captured and taken into custody. One of the suspects was found to be in possession of a firearm. The teens are facing a variety of charges as the investigation continues.
