3 of 4 juveniles believed responsible for numerous stolen vehicles, break-ins in custody

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Three of four juveniles police believe are responsible for numerous reports of stolen vehicles and vehicle break-ins in Cape Girardeau are in custody.

Cape Girardeau police have responded to numerous reports of stolen vehicles and vehicle break-ins over the past few weeks.

On August 9, at about 9 a.m. officers responded to the 1400 block of Brenda Kay Ct. in reference to a stolen vehicle. Around 9:45 a.m. officers received information from a citizen that saw the vehicle and thought it was suspicious due to the vehicle driving erratically and the front bumper dragging. Officers received information that the vehicle was near the 100 block of South Louisiana. Officers responded to the area and made contact with the two juveniles near West End and Louisiana. Both juvenile suspects began running from the officers but were quickly arrested.

The Cape Girardeau County Juvenile Authorities were contacted. Police say the juvenile authorities advised the officers to release both juvenile suspects.

On August 11 about 4 a.m. officers responded to the 2000 block of N. Sprigg in reference to an armed robbery. Officers arrived on scene and made contact with the victim. The victim told police four males got out of a vehicle and approached his vehicle. The victim said all four suspects were wearing ski masks and one of the suspects pointed a firearm him and ordered him out of the vehicle. Police say the suspects forced the victim to the ground and forced him to remove his clothing and shoes. Then, police say the suspects entered the victim’s car and left in an unknown direction. About ten minutes after the incident, police say the suspects returned the vehicle and advised the victim where they had left his vehicle.

During the same timeframe as the carjacking in the 2000 block of N. Sprigg, on August 11, police say the suspects also stole two more vehicles from the 2000 block of N. Sprigg. One of the vehicles was found on August 11 around noon. Officers found and recovered the stolen vehicle in an alley just west of the 900 block of William. The second vehicle was found and recovered about 3:40 p.m. in the 1400 block of N. Spanish.

On August 11, about 10:30 p.m. officers responded to the 800 block of N. West End for a report of two abandoned vehicles. Police learned both vehicles were stolen. The first was stolen on August 10. The second was stolen on August 11.

On August 14 about 2a.m. officers responded to the 900 block of N. Frederick in reference to a stolen vehicle. At about 2:30 a.m. officers responded to a leave the scene for a crash that occurred in the 800 block of N. Fountain where two people ran from the scene. Officers quickly found one of the males identified as a juvenile nearby after a brief foot chase. Police say the juvenile was in possession of a stolen firearm when officers took him into custody. The juvenile was taken to the Cape Girardeau County Juvenile Office.

On August 15, a search warrant was executed in the 100 block of S. Pacific in relation to the vehicle thefts. During the search, police say evidence related to the carjacking and the stolen vehicles, along with a stolen firearm were recovered. One juvenile was taken into custody during the execution of the search warrant.

Officers are continuing to investigate.