Teens in Stolen Vehicle Run Down N.Y. Police Officer Twice

A Utica police officer was injured Wednesday night after being hit by a stolen vehicle occupied by two teenagers who were trying to escape, police said.

Just after 6 p.m., officers were called to investigate a report of a stolen vehicle near Second Street and Blandina Street, according to a news release issued Wednesday night by the Utica Police Department.

The vehicle had been stolen in a robbery involving a handgun earlier this week, police said. Police did not say if the teenagers were involved in the armed robbery.

The responding officers saw the stolen vehicle in a driveway in the 800 block of Second Street, according to the release.

The two teenagers were seen inside the vehicle as the officers approached the driver’s side door, according to police.

The officers tried to talk with the driver, but the driver revved the engine in an attempt to flee, police said. The vehicle did not move because it was still in park, they said

One of the officers opened the door and the driver shifted the vehicle into reverse. The vehicle hit the officer, causing him to fall to the ground. The vehicle continued in reverse and hit the officer again, police said.

The driver continued reversing at high rate of speed, and intentionally backed directly into the driver’s side of a Utica police vehicle, causing extensive damage.

The vehicle then sped away a short distance and officers began chasing it, according to police. During the pursuit, both the driver and a front seat passenger jumped from the vehicle and fled on foot, they said.

The vehicle continued until it struck a pole and came to a stop, they said.

Officers then began chasing the two teenagers on foot, and they were both eventually caught, police said.

A 16-year-old was charged with second-degree assault, second-degree criminal mischief, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and fourth degree criminal possession of stolen property, according to the release. The teenager was taken to the Oneida County Jail.

The 15-year-old was charged with fourth degree criminal possession of stolen property, police said. The teenager was released on an appearance ticket to return to Oneida County Family Court at a later date.

The teenagers’ identities were not revealed by police because of their age.

The injured officer was taken to St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Utica for treatment. He suffered contusions and lacerations, according to the release.

Police are still investigating the original armed robbery of the vehicle.

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