NEW HAVEN, Conn. (CBS Connecticut) – Two men were killed when the SUV they were in slammed into a synagogue in New Haven early Monday.

Police say the two men had carjacked the 2005 Toyota Highlander from a man at Fitch and Blake streets shortly after midnight.

Later in the morning, the vehicle was spotted at Whalley and Winthrop avenues. An officer followed the vehicle until backup arrived and police tried to pulled it over. Police say the SUV fled from police and, minutes later, crashed into the Congregation Beth El Keser Synagogue at 85 Harrison Street.

Both occupants of the vehicle were pronounced dead. Their names were not immediately available.

New Haven police have turned the investigation over to Connecticut State Police. </s> Two men suspected of a carjacking in Connecticut were killed when they crashed a stolen car into a synagogue following a police chase.

Tommy Clayton Brown, 23, and Andrew Bolden-Velez, 20, died after they crashed a 2005 Toyota Highlander following a police pursuit early Monday morning.

The two young men had taken the car, along with the victim's wallet and cell phone after they claimed they had a handgun, New Haven police say.

The two men approached the unharmed victim and one indicated that he had a gun underneath his clothes, according to police.

Brown, of New Haven, was behind the wheel of the SUV and Bolden-Velez, of West Haven, was in the passenger seat when it smashed into the Congregation Beth El Keser Synagogue.

The suspected carjackers allegedly fled in the vehicle when police tried to

It took crews nearly three hours to remove the severely damaged car from the structure. </s> (JTA) — Two men were killed when the car they allegedly hijacked crashed into a New Haven, Connecticut, synagogue building during a police chase.

The SUV driven by the men crashed into Congregation Beth El Keser Synagogue early on Monday morning.

The two men allegedly had carjacked the 2005 Toyota Highlander shortly after midnight on Monday.

The synagogue sustained minimal structural damage, NBC Connecticut reported. No one was inside the synagogue at the time of the crash.

New Haven police told the local Fox News affiliate that the investigation has been turned over to the Connecticut State Police and the state’s attorney’s office. </s> NEW HAVEN - State police have identified the two men they say were killed when they crashed a stolen SUV into the side of a synagogue following a police chase in New Haven.

The crash happened at Temple Beth El Keser Israel on Whalley Avenue early Monday morning.

Troopers say Tommy Brown, 21, of New Haven, and Andrew Bolden-Velez, 20, of West Haven, died when their car slammed into the temple.

State police say New Haven officers had tried to pull over the two men in connection with a carjacking before the chase and crash. </s> Two men were killed when the car they allegedly hijacked crashed into a New Haven, Connecticut, synagogue building during a police chase. The synagogue sustained minimal structural damage, NBC Connecticut reported.

Start the conversation, or Read more at Forward. </s> A little more than an hour later a New Haven officer spotted the stolen SUV at Whalley and Winthrop avenues. The officer called for backup and when backup arrived tried to pull the SUV over, police said. Rather than stop, the SUV driver fled. "Minutes later, officers found the stolen car" crashed into the synagogue, New Haven Officer David Hartman said. </s> COLUMBIA - A man arrested after an alleged SUV theft on November 17 faces numerous charges, including stealing, tampering with a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of a gun, and three outstanding warrants.

Police went to Eagle Stop gas station on Providence Road shortly before 8 a.m. after a man said someone took his SUV. He told officers he'd left the SUV running while he went into the store, and told them there was a handgun under the driver's seat as well.

The store manager gave video surveillance to police, who were able to identify the SUV in question.

A short time later, a trooper with the Missouri State Highway Patrol saw the SUV on Scott Boulevard and tried to pull it over, but lost sight of it. Officers found the SUV again on Georgetown Drive, and a witness told them they saw the driver get out, change clothes, get on a bicycle and ride away. That witness took photos of the driver and gave them to police.

Officers found the suspect's cell phone inside the SUV, but didn't find the gun.

Police later arrested the suspect, identified as Raymond Dalton, in the area of Salem Drive and Grandview Circle. </s> HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - One man has been killed and two others injured in a shooting outside a Hartford nightclub.

Police say the shooting happened around 1:45 a.m. Sunday as the Vibz Uptown nightclub was closing for the night.

The victim was rushed to the hospital where he died. Police say was a 28-year-old man but haven’t released his identity yet.

The two other victims are described as a 29-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman. They were also taken to the hospital, but police have not disclosed their conditions.

Police say about eight rounds were fired in the parking lot as dozens of patrons were exiting the club. They ask that anyone with information call the department’s anonymous tip line.

The shooting is the city’s second homicide of the year. </s> A school co-principal says the five teenagers killed in a crash caused by a wrong-way driver in Williston, Vermont, were all high school juniors.

Harwood Union Middle and High School co-Principal Amy Rex says four of the five attended Harwood Union High School in Duxbury. She says the fifth victim is from the community, but attends a different school.

Rex says the deaths were "an unprecedented tragedy" and that all were vibrant members of the community with bright futures.

Police say the victims were hit by a wrong-way driver early Sunday morning. The car hit was found in flames.

A man who allegedly stole a police cruiser from the crash scene is facing charges, but police haven't said if he was driving the wrong-way vehicle.

Vermont State Police say a man driving the wrong way on an interstate highway crashed into a car, killing five people. Minutes later in the same area, a man stole a police cruiser and struck seven vehicles, injuring several people while driving the wrong way.

It was unclear if the same person was responsible for all of the crashes. But police apprehended 36-year-old Steven Bourgoin at the scene early Sunday on Interstate 89 in Williston.

Police say dispatchers began receiving reports just before midnight that a vehicle was north in the south lane of the interstate. They say the first car struck burst into flames.

Authorities say none of the injuries caused by the police cruiser appeared to be life-threatening.

Vermont State Police say five people have been killed after a wrong-way driver caused several crashes on Interstate 89 in Williston.

Vermont State Police Capt. Mike Henry tells the Burlington Free Press (http://bfpne.ws/2dWOKFk ) the crash happened early Sunday morning. Henry says a man was northbound in the southbound lane on the interstate between exits 11 and 12 when he collided with another car.

Williston police arrived to investigate, and the man exited his truck and stole a police cruiser and headed south toward Richmond. When Richmond police attempted to intercept him, the suspect made a U-turn and again headed north in southbound lanes.
In New Haven Connecticut, two men are suspected of approaching a man claiming to have a gun, took his cellphone and wallet. Then they stole his SUV and apparently lost control as they were killed when their stolen SUV accidentally crashed into and seriously damaged a synagogue (Hartford Courant)