Cheektowaga, N.Y. (WBEN) – Cheektowaga police have charged three teenagers with stealing a car and driving it through Town Park on Monday evening. Detectives spotted the stolen vehicle at the Valero gas station on Walden Avenue, across from the park, at around 7:30 p.m. ET. When patrol officers arrived, the teens put the car in reverse and led police on a high-speed chase. Once the teens entered the park, officers pulled back due to safety concerns.
Hundreds of people were in the park at the time, practicing football and baseball and enjoying the nice weather. Cheektowaga Police Captain Jeffrey Schmidt said it was fortunate that none of the park-goers in the path of the stolen car were injured.
The teens eventually left the park and lost control of the stolen vehicle, crashing into another car with a man inside. He was taken to Erie County Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition.
The suspects, ages 16, 14, and 14, face numerous charges, including:
- Unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle (misdemeanor)
- Reckless endangerment (felony)
- Criminal mischief (felony)
- Criminal possession of stolen property (felony)
- Assault with injury to a motorist (felony)
The three teenagers were released to their parents Monday night.
Cheektowaga police are reviewing all body camera footage.