Concord Police apprehended five people who they say resisted arrest and fled on foot after ditching a stolen car containing a handgun.

“A good possibility” exists that the group is connected with an uptick in recent car thefts in the city, according to Deputy Chief John Thomas, and the department is investigating further. 

Concord Police responded to calls around 3:35 p.m. that a car had crashed off the road on Appleton Street and its occupants, upon seeing officers arrive on the scene, fled into the woods. Police learned that the gray 2007 Toyota Camry had been reported stolen and located a gun in the car and another firearm discarded in the woods, according to Thomas. With the possibility that others could be armed, Concord Police called in a police K-9 and drone units as well as State Police to assist in the search and responded to areas near South Curtisville Road, Interstate 393 and East Side Drive.

The chase lasted nearly three hours, with five people being arrested by roughly 6:30 p.m., according to Thomas. A sixth person is yet to be located. 

Despite the commotion in the city, including the lockdown of a childcare center on East Side Drive near the Broken Ground school, Concord police did not release any information until nearly 24 hours after the incident.

Concord Police said they arrested 18-year-old Jayden Ballam-Quiah, who is facing one charge of resisting arrest, a misdemeanor. Three juveniles were also arrested and charged with resisting — one of the three also was charged with unlawful possession of alcohol by a minor and the third faces an additional charge of marijuana possession. A second adult was arrested on charges yet to be disclosed.

Concord Police had encountered this group several times before, Thomas said. 

“These kids are always with each other,” he said, and the group has a criminal history. In his brief time as an adult, Ballam-Quiah has faced previous charges for resisting arrest, reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, breach of bail, unauthorized use of a firearm, transportation of alcohol and theft, according to Thomas. Juvenile charges are not disclosed.

The car was reported stolen on July 16 in Hampton from a Massachusetts family who likely had been at the beach, Thomas said. Concord Police believe that someone in the car stole it, but the incident as a whole is still under investigation. 

Concord Police are also looking into whether this group is connected to a rise in car thefts in the city, and further charges are expected to be announced. 

Catherine McLaughlin can be reached at cmclaughlin@cmonitor.com