Two youths, aged 13 and 17, charged following crime spree from St. John’s to Clarenville

Two youths have been charged after a robbery in the west end of St. John’s led to a police pursuit that ended in the Clarenville area on Tuesday.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said officers responded to a report of a robbery in a parking lot on Topsail Road at about 1 p.m. on July 7. Police allege a male suspect approached an 82-year-old woman, stole her purse and vehicle, and fled the scene. The woman suffered minor injuries.

Shortly after the incident, RNC officers located the stolen vehicle on Pitts Memorial Drive with a male and female occupant inside. A traffic stop was attempted, but the vehicle allegedly fled at a high rate of speed. Police terminated the pursuit due to concerns for public safety.

At approximately 3 p.m., investigators determined the vehicle was in the Clarenville area and requested assistance from the RCMP. Officers there also attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle again fled at a high rate of speed.

The vehicle was found abandoned a short time later, and RCMP officers arrested a 17-year-old male and a 13-year-old female nearby.

Police said the investigation determined the male suspect had also allegedly stolen gasoline from a business in Goobies earlier in the day.

The 17-year-old has been charged with robbery, theft of a motor vehicle, two counts of flight from police, dangerous operation of a vehicle and theft under $5,000.

The 13-year-old has been charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle and being a party to the offence.

Both youths were transported to St. John’s to appear in court. The investigation remains ongoing, and police say additional charges are anticipated.