Police: Teen tossed loaded gun during Trumbull mall chase

TRUMBULL — A 17year-old was arrested at the Westfield Trumbull Mall last week, after police say the boy dropped a loaded gun while running from officers who found a stolen SUV he had been driving.

Trumbull police said officers were sent to the mall the evening of May 12 for a stolen car investigation. Around 9:30 p.m., authorities found an empty Infiniti SUV parked at the mall that had been reported stolen from Darien the day before.

“As officers were investigating the circumstances regarding the stolen vehicle, the teen exited the mall and walked toward the stolen car,” Trumbull police said in a statement. “When the teen saw the officers, he ran from the area with officers chasing behind.”

Police said during the chase, the boy pulled a handgun from his waistband and threw the gun into nearby bushes. He was apprehended, and police said the teen was found to have the key to the stolen SUV on him.

The gun was found in the bushes, and police said they are working to trace the gun “to identify the true owner.”

The 17-year-old was taken to police headquarters and charged with firstdegree larceny, criminal possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit and interfering with an officer.

The teen’s name was not released because he’s a minor.

Police said the boy was released to his mother with a promise to appear in Bridgeport Juvenile Court on May 23.