Police detail Doraville chase, crash; raise alarm over youth crime trend
Police release details on pursuit, juvenile arrests
Three teens in Brookhaven face serious charges after a high-speed chase through multiple cities. Brookhaven police released new details and a video of the pursuit and those involved.
BROOKHAVEN, Ga. - Brookhaven police have released new information and video about a multi-county high-speed chase that ended in a crash and led to the arrest of three juveniles linked to a series of crimes across DeKalb County.
What we know:
Police confirmed that three teens — 17-year-old Octavio Alexander Luviano and two 15-year-old boys — were taken into custody after the chase ended in a crash on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. Authorities said the SUV they were driving had been reported stolen out of DeKalb County and was previously involved in a shootout. Investigators believe they may be connected to a string of crimes committed over the previous three to four days.
Octavio Luviano. Photo courtesy of DeKalb County Sheriff's Office
Brookhaven police also shared drone and dashcam footage that appeared to show the juveniles attempting to steal another car in Brookhaven just before the pursuit began.
The pursuit began Tuesday, just before noon when Brookhaven police, using license plate readers, located a black Nissan Rogue that had earlier fled from Doraville police. Officers deployed a drone to the area of North Cliff Valley Way, where they spotted the suspects attempting to steal a second vehicle—a Hyundai—from an apartment complex on Buford Highway. During the pursuit, speed easily reached 100 mph.
Teens arrested after Brookhaven chase possibly involved in other crimes
Police released new drone video of the chase from Tuesday. They also say the teens were found with evidence that possibly connects them to other crimes.
"We see an individual in the driver's seat of the Hyundai parked to the left, and another individual climbs in the driver's rear window," said Brookhaven Police Chief Brandon Gurley during a media briefing on Wednesday.
The chief said the teens were in possession of evidence that links them to other recent crimes and that more charges are expected as investigations continue.
"They were in possession of items of evidence that connect them—or at least identify them—as being suspects in the crimes," Gurley said.
The teens live in unincorporated areas of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. Two of them, including Luviano, reportedly lived in the same apartment complex.
No serious injuries were reported in the final crash, though officials noted there may have been minor injuries during portions of the chase in Dunwoody and Sandy Springs.
What they're saying:
Police Chief Brandon Gurley stated that the three suspects are believed to be connected to numerous crimes spanning several jurisdictions over the past three to four days. Investigators say the teens were found with evidence linking them to other incidents in Brookhaven and neighboring areas.
"All three arrested are now in custody," Gurley said. He also confirmed that the 17-year-old will be charged as an adult.
FULL: Brookhaven PD on juveniles accused in stolen car crash
Brookhaven Police are sharing more information about the three juveniles arrested in connection to a multi-vehicle crash involving a car they have been accused of stealing.
The 17-year-old is facing one count of criminal attempt to commit auto theft. One of the 15-year-old teens is facing two weapon charges, an entering an auto charge, theft by receiving stolen property charge and a charge for loitering and prowling. The other 15-year-old is facing similar charges plus traffic charges.
Chief Gurley identified the 17-year-old as Octavio Alexander Luvanio.
Gurley also talked about his concern about crime committed by young people.
"While we're proud of the collaboration and technology that allowed us to safely apprehend these suspects, this incident highlights a growing and concerning trend that we're faced with in metro Atlanta and across the nation. The rise in serious crimes committed by juveniles to include vehicle theft, armed robberies and shootings. Many times, many times, we're seeing young people that are involved in high-risk dangerous criminal behavior," Gurley said.
MORE: Brookhaven police chief warns of rising juvenile crime as summer approaches
Gurley also spoke about how this is not a law enforcement problem, but that it is a larger "societel crisis" and families, schools, courts, community organizations and policymakers need to come together to find a meaningful solution.
"We must all acknowledge the urgency of this issue and work together to find meaningful solutions that provide both accountability and support before more lives are lost or ruined. We've entered our summer months where school is out. We expect to see an increase in crime that is committed by and connected to juvenile offenders, and that's a concerning trend here in Brookhaven," Chief Gurley said.
What we don't know:
The names of the two 15-year-olds have not been released.
What's next:
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to connect the suspects to additional crimes throughout the region.
Luviano is being charged as an adult under Georgia law. The two 15-year-olds are being processed through the juvenile court system.