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Crime & Safety

Teen Arrested, Accused of Multiple Auto Burglaries

A handgun was also confiscated amongst the alleged stolen items, police said.

A Glendora teen was arrested, Tuesday, after the victim of an auto burglary witnessed the suspect rifling through his vehicle, police said.

The teen was arrested on multiple counts of auto burglary. He has since been released to the custody of his grandmother, police said.

The teen is accused of at least 21 cases of auto thefts within the last two weeks in Glendora. The vast majority of vehicles entered had no signs of forced entry, police said.

The teen was caught by the vehicle burglary victim as the teen was inside the car around 9:11 a.m., Nov. 12, in the 100 block of North Vermont Avenue. The resident asked the teen his name, which the teen gave before running away, said Captain Tim Staab of Glendora Police.

"Our officers … used that name and our computer system and found out that there was this particular name that this teenager provided in the area. We got his photograph and the victim was able to pick him out of a lineup," Staab said.

Police contacted the teen at his mother's home and he confessed to the crimes, Staab said.

Police were given permission to search the teen's room and recovered numerous electronic devices, including at least six GPS devices, four to five phones and new laptops--including a Macbook Pro, Staab said.

Police also found marijuana paraphernalia and a loaded handgun with a bullet chambered in the weapon, Staab said.

The teen is home schooled and his mother was away at work, which is why he was able to commit auto burglary at such an early hour of the day, Staab said.

The teen will eventually make a court appearance.

Staab wants to remind residents to always lock their vehicle and remove expensive property from it.

Staab also wanted to emphasize the importance of remaining involved in their child/children's lives.

"This is a good example of an out of control 15 year old and how much havoc one can wreak on a community in a short amount of time," Staab said.

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