published: Friday, January 18, 2013

5 teens charged with grand theft, burglary

Special to the News-Sun

AVON PARK - Four boys, ranging in age from 15-17, and a 16-year-old girl have been charged with grand theft and burglary of an unoccupied dwelling thanks to an alert homeowner.

At approximately 11 a.m. Tuesday, a resident on North Cardinal Road in Avon Park called the Highlands County Sheriff's Office Central Dispatch to report seeing a suspicious vehicle in her driveway as she was nearing her home. According to reports, as the victim got closer to her home, she saw a vehicle that she didn't recognize leaving her driveway. When she arrived she found the front door unlocked and the residence ransacked.

Responding deputies entered the home and found evidence that a burglary had indeed taken place.

During the course of the investigation it was determined that the vehicle that was observed in the driveway was occupied by the suspects in the burglary. Deputies were able to locate the suspects and the vehicle on Ernest E. Simms Street in Avon Park.

Detectives attained and served a search warrant for the address and vehicle, which resulted in locating several pieces of property that were reported stolen from the residence.

All five juveniles were charged with grand theft and burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, both felony charges. One of the 16-year-old male suspects was also charged with violation of probation.

This investigation is being handled by Detective Mike Huften of the Criminal Investigations Unit. Anyone who would like to provide further information on this case can contact him at 402-7824. Anyone with information who wants to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS(8477) or on the Internet at www.heartland
crimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.