Five Nassau County, NY, police officers are recovering from injuries after trying to pull over a stolen car. Several teenagers in that car are accused of ramming four police cars with the officers inside.

Authorities say it demonstrates how the huge spike in car thefts is costing police and the public, CBS New York reports.

"My cops are getting hurt trying to recover your property that, if it was locked, we wouldn't be in this situation. I wouldn't have five cops that are out sick and maybe career ending injuries," Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said.

The stolen car failed to stop for police on busy Northern Boulevard. Three teens, ages 16 and 17 from Newark, were accused of intentionally ramming the police cars. An illegal loaded gun was also inside.

"With raise the age we've got 16 and 17-year-olds who, they know the difference between right or wrong, injuring police officers and destroying police property and stealing cars," Nassau Coun-ty Executive Bruce Blakeman said. "Now we treat them like they're little kids. They're not little kids. They're dangerous."

Despite assault and fleeing from police charges, and prior arrests, two of the three teens were re-leased without bail.