Multi-Hour Chase Ends With All 3 Car Thieves in Custody

A stolen vehicle recovery operation turned into an hours-long manhunt that ended with all three suspects in custody after a dramatic chase through Crown Heights.

The incident began on Shabbos at approximately 1:30 PM when a car was stolen near Albany Ave and Midwood St. The owner was alerted around midnight Motzei Shabbos by a witness who spotted the vehicle being driven. The owner immediately contacted 911 and Crown Heights Shmira.

Shmira members quickly located the stolen vehicle via tracking as it drove erratically through the neighborhood. The car ultimately crashed, prompting all three occupants to abandon it and scatter in different directions. Multiple Shmira units immediately launched coordinated pursuits while a liaison provided real-time updates directly to NYPD command.

The first suspect initially sought refuge in residential bushes before making a desperate dash to a parking garage near Clarkson Ave and Albany Ave. Shmira members and police officers secured a tactical perimeter and pursued the suspect into the garage. Despite attempting to escape by jumping from the second floor, he was swiftly arrested by the pursuing officers.

A second suspect vanished into an alley while the third initially escaped the immediate area. After a search, the second suspect was discovered hiding under a tarp, but he bolted again, sparking another intense foot chase before narrowly escaping once more.

Shmira’s technical team then reviewed area surveillance footage and pinpointed the fleeing suspect entering a nearby building. Based on this intelligence, teams established a perimeter around the building and Shmira deployed a drone for aerial surveillance. The second suspect was apprehended inside the building. The Shmira drone operator then spotted the final suspect on the building’s roof. Cornered by converging officers and Shmira members, he broke into an occupied apartment in a last-ditch escape attempt but was arrested moments later.

Thanks to the coordination between Crown Heights Shmira and the NYPD 71st Precinct and TARU unit, all three car theft suspects were successfully apprehended. Shmira would like to thank the entire midnight shift and public safety officers for their exceptional work, including Executive Officer Vincenti, Sergeant Felicetti, and PO Donza for their outstanding teamwork and dedication to community safety.

Please be aware of your surroundings. In case of an emergency, call 911 and Shmira 24/7 at 718-221-0303.