Awad Anter Arrested After Stolen Hyundai Rams Police Cruisers in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Two suspects, including 19-year-old Awad Anter of Springfield, were arrested Monday after a stolen Hyundai crashed into two police cruisers and nearly hit multiple officers.
The incident began around 9:40 a.m. when a Springfield Police detective from the Auto-Theft Unit spotted a Hyundai reported stolen out of Enfield, Connecticut, parked near Dickinson Street and Beaumont Street.
Inside the vehicle, officers found Anter and a 17-year-old passenger, both appearing to be asleep. The ignition column had been ripped out, confirming the vehicle was stolen.
When officers attempted to wake the pair, Anter allegedly refused to cooperate, then put the car in reverse and struck a police cruiser. He then drove forward, hitting a second cruiser, and reversed again, nearly hitting several officers before fleeing the scene.
Anter struck a parked car across Beaumont Street before abandoning the vehicle on the 100 block of Garfield Street. The two suspects fled on foot but were apprehended on Forest Street after jumping a fence on Fairfield Street.
Anter is now facing multiple felony charges, including:
Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle
Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash
Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License
Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon (6 counts)
The 17-year-old’s identity and charges were not released due to his age.
Police are using this case as a reminder to Hyundai and Kia owners to secure their vehicles with visible steering wheel locks, which help deter thefts that exploit certain ignition vulnerabilities.
