On Thursday, July 4, 2024, at approximately 11 am, the Medford Emergency Communications Center received a call from an employee at DICK’s Sporting Goods (3850 Mystic Valley Parkway) reporting a shoplifting incident that had just occurred. The employee stated that the suspects had fled in a vehicle towards Riverside Avenue. The employee provided a license plate and dispatchers confirmed that the vehicle was reported stolen from Belmont earlier this morning. While responding, officers observed the suspect vehicle on Riverside Avenue and activated their emergency lights and sirens to conduct at motor vehicle stop. The vehicle continued at a high rate of speed onto Commercial Street and then onto Route 16 westbound to Winthrop Street to High Street. The pursuit ended when the vehicle crashed through the fence of a residence on Alto Drive. Two suspects were detained in the vehicle, while three others fled. Officers apprehended one suspect shortly after and later located the two remaining individuals, who were arrested after attempting to hide in the area. No officers or suspects were injured during the incident.
The following individuals were arrested and charged:
Juvenile, 16, of Boston, was charged with Receiving Stolen Motor Vehicle, Shoplifting by Asportation, Malicious Destruction of Property over $1200, Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Speeding, Failure to Stop for Police, Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Improper Operation of a Motor Vehicle.
Juvenile, 15, of Boston, was charged with Receiving Stolen Motor Vehicle and Shoplifting by Asportation.
Juvenile, 17, of Boston, was charged with Receiving Stolen Motor Vehicle.
Juvenile, 15, of Somerville, was charged with Receiving Stolen Motor Vehicle and Shoplifting by Asportation.
Justin Bettencourt, 20, of Boston, was charged with Receiving Stolen Motor Vehicle and Shoplifting by Asportation.
Thank you to Mass State Police K9 and Airwing Units, and Arlington Police K9 Unit for their assistance.