The Burlington Police Department has taken four individuals into custody following the theft of a red Toyota Sienna van reported stolen from Norwood, according to a statement obtained by WHDH. The incident, which led to a pursuit and subsequent arrests, occurred on Monday morning. The adult among the group, identified as Briar Gillis, 19, from Lowell, along with three unnamed juveniles from Lowell, Stoneham, and Clinton, are facing charges related to the motor vehicle theft.
Police responded to a call at approximately 9:30 a.m. after the stolen vehicle was tracked into Burlington by Massachusetts State Police. After discovering the van in the Burlington Mall parking lot, officers attempted to apprehend the occupants. However, the suspects fled the scene, prompting a brief chase. Due to concern for public safety, the pursuit was halted, with additional units called to the scene, as per WHDH.
The van was later found crashed into a guardrail on Middlesex Turnpike. Eyewitnesses provided descriptions of the suspects who had fled on foot. Police managed to locate and detain all four individuals after a foot chase near 112 Mall Road. This apprehension concluded without further incidents, as reported by JGPR.
The three juveniles are set to appear in Lowell Juvenile Court, while Gillis faces arraignment in Woburn District Court. Charges against the youths include receiving a stolen motor vehicle, while one of the juveniles faces additional charges of operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, failure to stop for police, and reckless operation of a motor vehicle. One of the accused juveniles was transported to a hospital for evaluation, though there were no other reported injuries arising from the chase and crash, as noted by WHDH.
