CT man and teen allegedly carjack an Uber at gunpoint then rob a pawn shop

A 20-year-old man and a teenager face robbery and other charges following an incident in which they allegedly stole a car at gunpoint in one town and then robbed a pawn shop in another town, police said Sunday.

The incident began just after 4:30 p.m. Friday when West Haven police received a broadcast about a carjacking that took place in North Haven. In that incident, two males, both armed with handguns, had allegedly assaulted “an Uber driver and discharged a firearm while forcibly removing the victim from his vehicle and then driving away in the 4-door white Toyota Camry, Sgt. Patrick Buturla said.

West Haven police then learned of an alleged armed robbery at the East Coast Pawn shop, which is at at 961 First Avenue. Police said the suspects were identified as two “males armed with handguns operating the same white Toyota Camry.”

West Haven officers spotted the suspect vehicle and engaged it in pursuit but “lost sight of the vehicle due to the extreme reckless manner in which it was being operated and subsequently the pursuit was terminated,” police said in a statement.

“A short time later we received a report of this vehicle crashing in the area of Glade Street,” Buturla said in an email. “Through investigative techniques officers were able to ascertain these individuals last known whereabouts.”

Buturla said detectives took over the investigation and were able to obtain a search warrant for an address on Treat Street in West Haven.

Buturla said a search warrant was executed Sunday after 4 a.m., and officers found both suspects in the apartment, “numerous items of evidentiary value as well as firearm related items.”

Mehki Stewart, 20, no town given, and a 17-year-old male, also not town given, were taken into custody; both are charged with first-degree robbery, criminal possession of a firearm, engaging officers in pursuit and third-degree larceny.

Buturla said the North Haven Police Department will also have charges for both suspects as that agency completes an investigation.

Stewart was being held on bond Sunday and the 17-year-old “has been placed on an order to detain and will remain in custody pending their court dates,” Buturla said.

Buturla said West Haven Police Department thanks the North Haven Police Department and the Connecticut State Police for their assistance in the investigation.