4 IL teens arrested after multiple vehicles broken into in Paducah, KY

(KBSI) – Four Illinois teenagers face charges after police say there were caught trying to break into a car.

A Paducah police officer patrolling the neighborhood early Labor Day morning when he saw four people trying to break into a car.

When the officer stopped, police say the four people ran away.

A 14 and 16 year old were caught at a nearby convenience store. Police say the 16 year old was in possession of several credit cards that have been stolen from various vehicles.

A 17 year old was caught a block away. Officers found multiple tools commonly used for break-ins along the path he ran.

McCracken County Sheriff’s Department’s drone helped find a second 17 year old. Police say he admitted to having a stolen handgun that was taken from a vehicle. Police say he told them the other 17 year old scratched the serial number off. Police say he admitted to throwing the gun in a wooded area while he ran away from police. He assisted officers in finding the gun which was seized as evidence.

Paducah police say the four teens came from Illinois to McCracken County to break into vehicles.

They say the teens broke into vehicles throughout Paducah and McCracken County.

Officers found a large amount of stolen property, including tools, a briefcase, a pool stick set, fishing equipment, a computer and other items inside a van that was parked at a convenience store.

The two 17-year-olds were taken to the McCracken County Juvenile Detention Center.

The 14-year-old and the 16-year-old were cited and released to their guardians.

Anyone whose vehicle was broken into Sunday night or Monday morning can call the Paducah Police Department at 270-444-8550 or the McCracken County Sheriff’s Department at 270-444-4719 to file a report and get further information.