The kids dropped the TV and ran as a police cruiser pulled up, forcing police to send out search dogs and several officers on an hour-and-45-minute hunt that began shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday.
The five teens were taken to San Joaquin County Juvenile Hall, where they were booked on several felony charges, including residential burglary, conspiracy, resisting arrest, vandalism and possession of stolen property.
Owners of the house on the corner of Crossroads and West Merchant drives were away home when the high school-aged kids entered the place and left carrying several items, according to Tracy police.
A neighbor saw a couple of the suspects carrying out the large TV and called 9-1-1. An officer was nearby and showed up in time to interrupt the alleged burglary.
Investigators don’t yet know if the suspects were involved in any more property crimes, said Tracy police spokesman Sgt. Tony Sheneman. He said four of the five suspects are enrolled at local high schools, and one is a drop-out.
Tracy police Chief Janet Thiessen said the department is grateful to the person who called police in time for detectives to show up while the alleged burglary was happening.
“This is s tremendous example of how a community-police partnership can be successful,” she said in a statement. “Community involvement is instrumental in solving these types of crimes.”
•Contact a Tracy Press reporter or editor at 835-3030 or tpnews@tracypress.com.
Glen way didn't you write the story as it really happened? You were over by my house and you saw 5 cars and two motorcycle officers guarding the house next door, just because the front screen was bent. Then when I asked the officer in charge to check my back yard, he said later. I asked again to have an officer come with me to check my yard. After 2 1/2 hours I went back and checked my shed in my back yard and when I opened the door one of the suspects ran out and jumped the fence. Later I was asked to identify some of the captured, which they later identified as school kids, and the one I saw hiding in my shed was not in the bunch captured. My wife and I would like to see the ones that were captured in order to see if the guy hiding in my shed was really was captured.
And the really sad thing is, I bet they knew the homeowners kid/s.
I hope they get 2yrs for their crime.
Must be good neighbors in Tracy to call them in on it. Awesome.
Perhaps the juvenile problems would be solved if the parents are thrown into jail with their wayward kids. If the kids knew beforehand that there would repercussion on the family for their acts, kids might think twice? Parents might wake up in dropping the "buddy/friend" role and be PARENT/PARENTS.
Hopefully, the four kids will take this seriously and not repeat stupidity in the future.