ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Concrete barriers and an increased police presence were placed in front of and near Franklin High School Friday.

This comes after a 16-year-old boy was arrested Thursday after police said he tried to hit students with a stolen Hyundai on the school’s campus.

Police were called to the school around 2:30 p.m. Investigators said there were multiple cars involved, and students had to run out of the way to avoid being hit.

No one was injured.

Captain Greg Bello with the Rochester Police Department says these incidents continued later in the night.

“Later that night we responded to Bronson Court at around 7 p.m. for the report of teenagers in what appeared to be stolen Kias displayed what appeared to be firearms at someone and robbed him of his property,” Captain Bello said.

Both Kias were found on Lyell Avenue and a chase involving Rochester Police began. One chase ended with a crash, the other with the teens running out of the vehicle.

“We believe, we haven’t charged yet but there is the possibility, and we are looking into if these were the same vehicles that were involved at Franklin, that were then involved at the robbery later in the night,” Captain Bello said. “That’s what we’re investigating and continuing to look at video footage of to see if we can’t match them up and file additional charges later.”

With an increased presence at Franklin High School Friday, Bello says the goal is to keep students safe and keep these vehicles away.

“It’s a frustration that your kid is going to school and having to deal with stolen vehicles,” Captain Bello said. “Some kids want to go to school and learn, some kids want to steal cars and cause havoc around the schools or cause havoc in the neighborhoods.”

Five teens were taken into custody. Rochester Police have been working closely with Monroe County’s JEDS program. The program claims to get teens services they would normally receive at the end of family court sooner.

“It’s getting kids the services right away, and it’s also separating the kids for a matter of a day, depending on how long it takes the family to come up with an action plan to prevent this sort of incident from occurring again,” Captain Bello said.

On Friday morning, construction workers were seen in front of Franklin High School putting more concrete barriers in front of the school. RCSD told News 8 they are increasing security and RPD presence and installing protective bollards.

FULL STATEMENT FROM ROCHESTER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT DR. CARMINE PELUSO:

For the past couple years, we have been consistently working with our Safety and Security Team and community partners to ensure a safe campus. The District has provided schools with additional Safety and Security personnel, targeted RPD presence, protective bollards, and regular meetings with the Mayor and other elected officials.  

This is a community public safety issue that requires all hands on deck.  I will be meeting with the collective bargaining units, the City, and the County to continue working on strategies to address this issue.

Just last week, we saw how reckless driving of stolen vehicles can take a young life and cause harm in our community. The RCSD will continue to work with its partners to mitigate these issues. We need the community’s support.

Dr. Carmine Peluso, Superintendent of Rochester City Schools

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to call 911.