Search Underway After Police Pursue 3 Cars on Shoreline

Police are searching for three car thieves who led state troopers on a chase in stolen vehicles along the shoreline early this morning.

Three people in a 2004 Jeep Liberty had been stolen out of Hamden on Nov. 8 went to Clinton overnight and stole a 2008 Mercury Mariner and 2003 Toyota Camry that were unlocked and had keys nearby, according to state police.

They then went to Old Saybrook, where they tried to steal or break in to more cars, but an alarm went off and they fled, police said.

However, a resident saw the cars and called Old Saybrook police and officers responded to Quarry Street just before 2:30 a.m. to investigate suspicious activity.

Within 25 minutes, Old Saybrook police called state police because the people who had been trying to break into cars fled south on Interstate 95.

When state police saw all three vehicles, they tried to stop them, but the drivers kept going and tried to get off the highway at exit 56, state police said.

At that point, the Mercury Mariner hit an embankment, crashed in a Dunkin' Donuts parking lot at East Industrial and Leetes Island roads, and the driver fled, according to state police.

The drivers of the Jeep Liberty and Toyota Camry continued going and fled on Route 1 into East Haven, police said. At that point, state troopers called off the chase.

Minutes later, East Haven police called state police because a Jeep Liberty hit a house on Dodge Road in East Haven. The driver fled after causing damage to the porch. Police said no one was home at the time of the crash.

The driver of the Camry was able to get away in the vehicle and all three drivers remain at large.

Anyone with information should call 860-399-2100 or text TIP711 with any information to 274637.

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