Two 16-year-olds tore across Brooklyn in a one-hour crime spree that ended when one suspect allegedly drove a stolen SUV toward a police officer, forcing the officer to fire a shot, the New York City Police Department said.
Story Highlights
- Police say the spree began with an attempted armed robbery in Homecrest around 7:40 p.m.
- Suspects allegedly used or fled in a stolen vehicle and sped across multiple Brooklyn neighborhoods.
- An officer fired one shot when the vehicle moved toward him near Avenue O and East 15th Street.
- Both teens were arrested; charges include robbery and possession of stolen property.
Police Timeline: From Gunpoint Attempt to Brooklyn Pursuit
New York City Police Department officials said the rampage began when two 16-year-olds tried to rob a 24-year-old man in Homecrest around 7:40 p.m. The teens flashed a gun before fleeing, according to police accounts reported by local outlets. Reports describe a fast-moving pattern of robberies and car-related crimes that spanned several neighborhoods in under an hour. Outlets described Midwood, Homecrest, and East New York as key points in the chase and final crash. These details reflect the police timeline shared with the press.
Police said the suspects were in a stolen vehicle while officers worked to stop them. The sequence led to a confrontation near Avenue O and East 15th Street just after 8:30 p.m., where officers tried to block the vehicle. Investigators said the driver pulled onto the sidewalk and moved toward an officer. The officer then fired a single shot. No one in the vehicle was struck, and the suspects fled again, police told reporters at the scene and later by statement.
Confrontation at Avenue O: One Shot Fired, Then a Crash
During the Avenue O encounter, police said the vehicle lurched toward an officer, prompting the officer to fire. The vehicle was not hit, according to reporting based on police accounts. The suspects kept going until crashing near Pennsylvania Avenue and Wortman Avenue in East New York. Officers arrested one teen at the crash site. The second suspect ran but was later caught after a foot chase. Officials did not release the officer’s name and said no officers were hurt in the incident.
Authorities said the New York City Police Department’s Force Investigation Division opened a standard review of the firearm discharge. That process examines the officer’s actions, available video, and other evidence to confirm that use of force followed policy. Police and local reports said one teen faces two robbery counts, while the other was charged with criminal possession of stolen property and obstruction of governmental administration. Police did not specify which teen allegedly drove toward the officer.
What the Charges Say About the Spree
Police statements and news reports describe several linked crimes in under 60 minutes. The case mix includes attempted armed robbery, vehicle theft or possession of stolen property, and at least one crash during flight. Those details explain why the two teens face different charges. Robbery charges match the reported gunpoint attempt. Stolen property and obstruction reflect control of a stolen car and efforts to avoid arrest. Exact counts may expand as detectives finish interviews and evidence collection.
Reporters who spoke with police said the pursuit touched multiple neighborhoods and ended only after a wreck in East New York. That pattern fits other cases where young suspects use stolen cars to move quickly and evade traffic stops. The New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice has reported that the share of citywide arrests involving people under 18 rose in recent years, with sixteen and seventeen-year-olds making up a larger slice of serious cases in 2024 and 2025. Context helps explain why police moved fast here.
Safety, Accountability, and Backing the Badge
New Yorkers deserve safe streets, and police officers deserve clear backing when a driver aims a moving car at them. A car is a deadly weapon when used to hit a person. The New York City Police Department says the officer fired one shot only after the vehicle moved toward him, which shows restraint within a tense moment. The Force Investigation Division review is already underway, as policy requires after any discharge. That step protects the public and the officer alike.
Parents, commuters, and small businesses live with the costs of this kind of chaos. Victims lose property, but they also lose peace of mind. Fast arrests matter, and so do strong charges that match the facts. City leaders have tracked youth crime trends and say the worst acts still come from a small share of teens. That is why quick accountability, clear consequences, and steady police support remain vital to stop repeat offenders and keep neighborhoods stable.
Why This Case Matters Now
This case shows how quickly a street crime can turn into a threat to a police officer and anyone nearby. The path ran from a gunpoint attempt, to a stolen vehicle, to a sidewalk charge at an officer, and then to a high-speed crash. Police say they caught both suspects and recovered the scene. The next steps are the court process and the internal review. New Yorkers can expect updates as charging documents and official findings are released.
