WESTPORT — After warning residents earlier in the day about a recent rash of auto-theft crimes, police said two juveniles were apprehended when spotted late Wednesday trying to break into vehicles on Hillspoint Road.

Police received a “911” call about 11:45 p.m. Wednesday reporting that two people were attempting to enter vehicles on Hillspoint, near Compo Beach.

Westport officers, joined by members of the the Bridgeport Regional Auto Theft Task Force, dispatched to investigate set up a perimeter around the area.

Two suspicious vehicles — both reportedly stolen elsewhere — were seen fleeing the area and eluded police attempts to stop them.

Westport officers broke off pursuit, but suspects in one of the vehicles were tailed by task force members in unmarked cars onto Interstate 95.

The car driven by the suspects was pulled over on I-95 in Stratford, and two juveniles from Danbury, 17 and 14 years old, were taken into custody. 

The suspects’ identities were not disclosed because of their age.

The juvenile driver was charged with first-degree motor vehicle larceny, criminal attempt to assault a public safety officer, engaging police in pursuit and interfering with an officer.

The passenger was charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny and interfering with an officer.

Both juveniles were later released to the custody of their families and face arraignment at Juvenile Court in Danbury.

Earlier Wednesday, Westport police had issued an advisory to residents to take precautions because of a recent rash of vehicle thefts and break-ins.

The number of stolen vehicles and attempted thefts has risen over the last “several weeks,” police said in the statement, noting that “cars that were stolen or illegally entered had been left unlocked.”

That warning — to routinely lock vehicles and do not leave key fobs and other valuables behind — has been issued repeatedly by police over the last several years as auto-theft problems spiked during the pandemic years.