Less than 5 hours after a multi-car chase through 2 towns, the Westport Police Department have arrested 9 suspects, both juvenile and adult.

They were involved in attempted burglaries and/or thefts of vehicles, garages and homes.

Two stolen vehicles and one handgun were recovered.

At approximately 11 a.m. this morning, the WPD was alerted by the Fairfield Police Department to be on the lookout for a car occupied by 3 males wearing masks.

The suspects had been trying door handles of vehicles in residential driveways, and reportedly made at least one attempt to enter a garage. The suspects’ car was last seen near the Fairfield/Westport town line.

Westport units checked the area.  A detective in an unmarked police vehicle located the car and suspects walking up a residential driveway, attempting to enter a parked vehicle.

A second unmarked police vehicle arrived to assist. When the suspect recognized them as officers they fled, striking and significantly damaging and disabling one police vehicle, and injuring an officer.

The vehicle fled toward I-95 southbound, where it became disabled due to damage from the initial collision. It stopped between exits 18 and 17.

Multiple units from several police agencies responded, and quickly apprehended a number of suspects who attempted to flee on foot.

The vehicle the suspects were in was previously reported stolen, and found to contain a handgun.

While officers were setting up a perimeter and attempting to apprehend the suspects involved in this incident, a secondary vehicle known to officers to be involved in similar criminal activity passed through the search area.

This vehicle, also previously reported as stolen, contained multiple occupants.  When officers attempted to stop this secondary vehicle, it immediately fled, and struck an unmarked police vehicle operated by Chief Foti Koskinas.

The vehicle then began traveling recklessly through local roads — including Hillspoint and Greens Farms Roads — to elude officers.

The secondary suspects eventually made their way to the Sherwood Island Connector, where the vehicle was involved in an accident that disabled it.

Aftermath of today’s multi-car chase, on the Sherwood Island Connector. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)

Several more subjects were taken into custody. This motor vehicle accident necessitated a brief closure of the roadway, which has since been re-opened to traffic.

The 9 suspects arrested range in age from 12 to 20 years old. They have been charged with both criminal and motor vehicle offenses.

Although this is an ongoing investigation, it is believed that all parties directly involved in today’s incidents have been apprehended. Westport Police say there is no threat to the community associated with this investigation.

Further details on arrests and charges will be provided later.