ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Five juveniles were arrested Thursday, after a knifepoint carjacking outside RCSD School No. 54.
According to Rochester police, officers were sent to the area of Otis Street and Saratoga Avenue around 4:45 p.m., where a 49-year-old woman said she was in her car after working at the school when she was approached by a group of male teens.
Investigators said one of the suspects pulled out a weapon described as a machete and demanded the victim turn over the vehicle. When the victim did got out of her car, some of the suspects drove it away, while others got into a different car and left.
Police say the victim was not hurt.
According to investigators, officers spotted the car around 6:30 p.m. on Cameron Street. The driver attempted to speed away, but police say “due to being an inexperienced driver without a license and under the age of anyone who is legally allowed to operate a motor vehicle,” the suspect slid off the road attempting to take a turn. The car ended up in a ditch along Mt. Read Boulevard.
Police say three male and two female juveniles ran from the crash, but the much “older and faster officers” took them into custody.
Investigators said that two 16-year-old males were charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree robbery, and grand larceny. One of the males was charged with unlawful imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a child after investigators found he was allegedly involved with stealing a car with two children inside of it.
Investigators are working to determine whether the juveniles arrested in the chase were the same ones who allegedly stole the car. Charges are also being determined.
Anyone with information is asked to call 911.