Chester PD makes burglary arrests
<span>In a quick turnaround, the Chester Police Department announced Monday that it had arrested three local juveniles in connection with a rash of vehicle burglaries that occurred Saturday night into early Sunday morning.</span>
<span>A 14-year-old, 15-year-old and 16-year-old, all male, have been arrested in connection to 15 reported burglaries - all of which were reported Sunday in the 1700, 1800 and 1900 blocks of Oak, High and Swanwick streets (including cross streets) in one of the city's largest residential areas.</span>
<span>"We don't have any reason to believe there are additional suspects, but there is still some followup being done," Coffey said.</span>
<span>In a news release from the CPD, Coffey stated many of the victims reported small amounts of cash as the primary item stolen, but some lost electronics and stereo equipment.</span>
<span>Locations where vehicles were unlocked were the main targets, but the suspects forced their way into at least one vehicle.</span>
<span>"The fact that these cases were solved in less than 24 hours is something I am very proud of," Coffey said. "Our officers jumped on this case and aggressively investigated it."</span>
<span>Coffey noted four officers participated in the investigation and while he did not name them, he stated they would be recognized in-house for their achievements.</span>
<span>"I think the guys are really pleased that their efforts paid off," he said. "There was a lot of proactive investigating taking place."</span>
<span>Coffey also credited the Chester community for its cooperation in solving the case quickly.</span>
<span>"We recognize that any success we have identifying suspects and/or solving crimes relies heavily on cooperation from the community," he said. "We had that cooperation on Sunday."</span>
<span>Coffey said he anticipates to file juvenile charges with the Randolph County State's Attorney's office late this week.</span>
<span>"As far as the three juveniles, I hope that they learn from this mistake and they can turn things around," Coffey said. "While it is up to the courts to hold them accountable for these actions, it will be up to each one of them to make a change for the better going forward."</span>
<span>Coffey was asked whether this was the time of year for burglary cases.</span>
<span>"I would say warmer temperatures have a tendency to pick things up, especially with crimes like these," he said. "There's nothing really scientific about it, we just happened to have one warm day there."</span>
<span>Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker said there is a wide range of possible penalties in juvenile burglary cases.</span>
<span>"Generally speaking, it depends on how much trouble the kids have been in in the past, the severity of the crime, as well as other factors," he said.</span>
<span>Walker said once he gets the final report from the CPD he will review it and make a determination on what charges are filed and how many are filed.</span>