LEWISTON — Police arrested a 14-year-old Thursday night after a short chase that ended when a tire blew out on the suspect’s vehicle.

When police inspected the car, they found bullet holes that investigators believe are related to a previous shooting.

The 14-year-old was charged with refusing to submit to arrest, though police said other charges will likely be filed.

Police said that after the suspect’s car came to a stop near 240 Bartlett St., the teen jumped out of the vehicle and fled on foot, though he was quickly apprehended.

Police did not say whether the 14-year-old was the driver of the car. It was believed that other teens may have been involved in the chase.

The 9:45 p.m. chase rattled an already tense neighborhood when the sound of the car tire puncturing was believed to be a gunshot. Investigators said the tire was punctured when it rolled over an exposed pipe in the rear of a building.

Although several people reported hearing shots fired during the incident, police said no evidence was found that shots had been fired.

Police were still investigating the matter on Friday.

Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline on Friday thanked Lewiston police for bringing a quick resolution to the case. He also had questions about what so many young people are doing out in the late evening hours.

“My message to Lewiston parents: If you don’t know where your children are and who they are with, that’s a problem,” Sheline said. “If you need help and resources, please contact the individuals and organizations you know and trust. It will take our entire community working together with parents to reduce youth violence in our city.”

Since the start of the year, police in several areas around the region have been involved with car chases involving teens, many of them driving stolen cars.

Investigators have suggested that some of these teens may also be involved in a recent spate of burglaries at area cannabis and gun stores.

Earlier in the month, teens 13 and 15 years old were arrested in connection with a Turner marijuana store break-in following a high-speed chase that started in Waldo County and ended in Waterville.

In Lewiston, police have been contending with a rash of juvenile crime involving kids as young as 13, including several shootings in and around the downtown area.

Several arrests have been made in the shootings, although both police and victims of the crimes have complained that the juvenile justice system is “broken” and that the young offenders are too frequently set free after being caught.

The 14-year-old arrested Thursday night was later released to his guardians, police said.

Lewiston police have set up tip lines for residents who want to report their concerns about youth violence or other issues within the city. Tips can be called in at 207-513-3194 or sent along via a form at lewistonmaine.gov/TIP.