Bugle Staff
Park Ridge police have arrested three juveniles in connection to a string of motor vehicle thefts that occurred between Feb. 21 and March 7.
The Park Ridge Police Department announced last week that charges ranging from possession of stolen motor vehicle to fleeing police have been filed against three 14-year-olds from Park Ridge and Buffalo Grove.
Three of the vehicles taken were running at the time, and the fourth vehicle had the keys left in the ignition, according to police.
“It is important to note that all of these crimes were crimes of opportunity,” Deputy Chief Lou Jogmen said in a March 16 release. “Please lock your vehicles each time you park it and never leave the keys inside.”
The first reported theft occurred Feb. 21 in the 100 block of Euclid Avenue. Police said one of the suspects, who is identified as Juvenile A, stole a 2012 Honda that was left unattended with its engine running. Suspect A is alleged to have also stolen a 2001 Chevy on Feb. 26 from the 1500 block of Stewart and a 1996 Volvo on March 1 from the 0-100 block of South Prospect Avenue.
Juvenile A, who is a resident of Park Ridge, was arrested March 6 after being reported missing by his parents and located by police. He was charged with three counts of possession of stolen motor vehicle, one count of possession of cannabis and fleeing from police.
A second suspect, identified as Juvenile B by police, was arrested March 7 after a resident in the 200 block of Ashland observed him and a third suspect attempting to burglarize a vehicle. Officers responded and were able to take Juvenile B into custody as he attempted to flee the scene.
Police said Juvenile B and Juvenile C had attempted to steal and burglarized a vehicle in the 700 block of North Prospect prior to the burglary on Ashland. After interviewing Juvenile B, he was charged with two counts of burglary to motor vehicle and fleeing from police. Juvenile B is a resident of Buffalo Grove and has pending possession of stolen motor vehicle charges in that village.
Juvenile C was arrested March 8 after being interviewed by detectives. He was charged with one count of possession of stolen motor vehicle, two counts of burglary to motor vehicle and fleeing from police, after he was observed in one of the stolen motor vehicles on March 5.
Police said all three juveniles have been petitioned to juvenile court.