Police in Mexico say a band of heavily armed teenage car thieves shot it out with officers during a high-speed chase, before crashing their stolen car in the northern industrial city of Monterrey.
Nuevo Leon state police say one young man escaped by running to a nearby university and stealing another car at gunpoint from a student. Two 13-year-old boys and a 15-year-old girl are in custody.
Authorities say the youths were brandishing rifles at other motorists while driving the original stolen vehicle Monday.
When police gave chase, the youths began shooting and officers fired back. The pursuit ended when the car smashed into a house.
Drug gangs fighting in Monterrey are known for recruiting children.