Police report that at about 3:25 am on Wednesday, April 17, they responded to a burglary alarm at the Citgo gas station at 151 South Main Street (Route 25) and encountered an attempted theft of an automatic teller machine (ATM) in progress.

Police said that Patrol Sergeant Philip Hynes, who was on patrol in that area, arrived within a minute and saw a person jumping out of a window at the gas station and then enter a waiting vehicle.

The fleeing vehicle drove on several local roads and made its way to eastbound Interstate 84. Multiple Newtown police officers joined in the pursuit, as well as state police troopers. “Spike strips” were used in an attempt to puncture the fleeing vehicle’s tires, but the auto eluded police capture as it exited I-84 in the Waterbury area, according to police.

The vehicle that police had pursued was a Honda CR-V SUV, which earlier that night had been stolen from New Britain, police said. Police later found the Honda abandoned in Waterbury. Newtown police detectives processed the vehicle for evidence and the investigation is ongoing, police said. In such situations, police collect DNA evidence, among other matter.

“Based on surveillance footage from the gas station, it appears two individuals attempted to steal the ATM located within the gas station but were scared off when they saw the police cruiser approaching the station,” said Lieutenant Aaron Bahamonde, spokesman for Newtown police.

“It was great, responsive, police work by our officers, and we are confident that the suspects will be caught based on further investigative steps,” he added.