TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Tampa Police and Florida Highway Patrol arrested three teenagers in a stolen vehicle Wednesday after finding a stolen firearm inside the vehicle.
Tampa Police received a report of a stolen 2015 Mercedes sedan at 2 a.m. on Oct. 8. Officers spotted the vehicle at 8:30 p.m., and the stolen vehicle began driving erratically.
As officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver fled and a brief pursuit ensued.
The Tampa Police Department provided surveillance footage from the Tampa Police Aviation Unit to update the unit’s FHP.
According to the Tampa Police Department, officers deployed spike strips to disable the vehicle before FHP conducted a PIT stop near Hanna Street.
Officers took the three teens involved into custody and are currently facing 11 felonies and two misdemeanor charges.
Upon searching the vehicle, officers recovered a stolen semi-automatic 9mm firearm.
“It is clear that those who choose to participate in criminal and reckless conduct will be held accountable in the City of Tampa,” Commissioner Lee Bercow said.
Two of the teens have extensive criminal histories, including grand theft auto, fraud and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.