Seattle police have released a dramatic new video capturing a high-speed pursuit that ended in a crash and led to the arrest of five juveniles in Ballard. Authorities believe this group, consisting of teens aged 12 to 16, is connected to a series of crimes that have plagued the city for weeks.
The incident began around 4 p.m. on Tuesday when police received reports of five masked males abandoning a running vehicle on 16th Avenue Northwest. After allegedly stealing another car, the teens triggered a police chase.
As the suspects sped down 15th Avenue Northwest, they lost control while turning, crashing into another vehicle. Rick Carlson, a neighbor who lives nearby, described the chaos that ensued. “I heard the helicopter, and then I heard a crash up on 80th,” he said.
Bodycam footage shows officers with guns drawn as they pursued a suspect along Northwest 80th Street, capturing two other juveniles in the process. Meanwhile, two of the teens attempted to flee, with one disappearing into the surrounding neighborhood. Police were quick to react, advising residents to lock their doors and stay inside as they searched for the missing suspect.
Soon after, the Guardian One helicopter located the suspect hiding in the front yard of a nearby home. The homeowner, who preferred to remain anonymous, was inside with his toddler when he spotted the suspect crouching in his yard. He tried to alert the police by waving through the window but ultimately had to call 911 to get their attention.
All five juveniles were eventually taken into custody, and police believe they are responsible for more than a dozen crimes committed over the past few weeks, including auto theft, assault, hit and run, vehicular assault, and robberies.
