Five teens held for series of burglary

Julette Bryan, Gleaner Writer

MORANT BAY, St Thomas:

Five boys aged 12 to 14 were recently held in connection with a series of burglary in Morant Bay, St Thomas, over the past three weeks.

According to reports from the Morant Bay CIB office, a number of business places were burgled. As such, the police patrolled the area and were successful in catching the perpetrators.

The Gleaner understands that about 2 a.m. last Friday, the police were on foot patrol when they received information that there were individuals loitering at a supermarket at Rosemarie Avenue (Jackass Hill). The team discovered the boys, armed with a crowbar. They had pried open a back door to the supermarket, entered the building, and were in the process of removing items from the store.

One adult sought

The boys were taken to the station and interviewed. One adult is also being sought in connection with the investigation.

The police recovered a number of items from the young men. These include BlackBerry cellphones, men's and ladies watches, Clarks footwear, Jansport school bags, ladies and men's clothes and two bicycles. The police have asked victims to visit the station and identify the stolen goods.

A source at the station told The Gleaner that the boys have been linked to at least 16 burglaries within the Morant Bay area, and the theft of goods amounting to more than $250,000.

The parents and guardians of the young men were contacted. The police informed that the boys were not under proper supervision.