By Jim Clark

While on patrol last Friday evening, a police officer spotted a car driving through the parking lot at the Target store on Somerville Avenue with no headlights on.

The officer flashed his unmarked car’s lights to signal the driver that the lights were not on, but the other car’s headlights remained off.

The officer then flashed his blue lights once in an attempt to get the driver’s attention, but instead the car drove past the officer slowly, and eventually someone, appearing to be a teenager in the officer’s judgment, jumped out of the car and began running, while the vehicle kept rolling.

Two other teenagers exited the vehicle from the passenger’s side and began to run. The vehicle slowly rolled across the parking lot and eventually struck a parked vehicle.

The officer called for backup and a perimeter was established to apprehend the suspects.

One nearby resident reported to police that three unknown teens were in their backyard, but they again fled as officers approached the scene.

Another citizen report indicated that the trio might be inside a residential basement, as its door was suspiciously found left open.

Police established a tight perimeter around the residence and the K-9 unit was brought in to establish the whereabouts of the three suspects.

One of the suspects was spotted attempting to hide on a nearby rooftop, and was soon apprehended

One other of the two teens was also found in the vicinity and both were placed under arrest.

The vehicle in question turned up as stolen out of Cambridge.

The driver of the vehicle was charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle, leaving the scene of property damage, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

The other teen was charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle.

Police reported that one of the two individual that were apprehended admitted to being a gang member.