Less than a week after the Wellesley Police Department used social media to warn residents to lock their cars and hide valuables following a rash of break-ins and thefts in the area, the police were involved in a chase from Wellesley to Wakefield that resulted in the arrests of four juveniles (and continued pursuit of another suspect).

Wellesley police officers have been focused on vehicle break-ins and thefts during overnight shift patrols, according to a statement issued by the department. On Tuesday, May 27 at 2:33am, a sergeant saw a silver vehicle in an apartment building parking lot on Cedar Street that had its lights off but was running. Several masked people were seen walking through the lot looking into cars.

Upon seeing the police cruiser, the masked individuals ran to the suspect car (which was stolen) and drove off, though not before striking the front end of the cruiser, which had its blue lights activated. (No officers were hurt.)

The vehicle took Rte. 9, then Rte. 128/95, and was chased by Wellesley police in coordination with state police, who were able to deflate the suspect vehicle’s tires using devices called stop sticks. Suspects fled the vehicle, with Wellesley police nabbing one, and state troopers along with police from other communities capturing three more. The suspects were arrested and taken to the Wellesley Police Station; Parents were notified so that they could take custody of the juveniles.

An investigation is ongoing regarding a fifth suspect who escaped.

(A bit more from WCVB Channel 5 Boston.)