Staff Report
On February 25, at approximately 1:30 a.m., a resident of Johnson Avenue in Fairhope called the police to report that he had seen several juveniles tampering with his vehicle. The juveniles fled when they were spotted by the citizen.
Responding officers of the Fairhope Police Department found the juveniles hiding in a carport on Fairhope Avenue and detained them. The resulting investigation revealed that the juveniles had been stealing from unlocked cars.
The thefts appear to be centered in the neighborhood around Johnson Avenue, Mershon Street, Bellangee Avenue and Fairhope Avenue. At this time, six victims have been identified, but based on information obtained during the investigation, it is believed that the juveniles may have entered twenty or more vehicles, all of which were unlocked.
The responding officers (Sergeant Nelson, Officer Marshall, Officer Williams, Officer Selby and Officer Hill) detained four juveniles: a 17 year old white male, a 16 year old white male, a 15 year old black male, and a 15 year old white male. All are residents of Fairhope.
The four were taken to the Fairhope Police Department for documentation and released to parents in accordance with established juvenile procedure. They will each be required to appear in Juvenile Court in Bay Minette on multiple counts, including breaking and entering of motor vehicles, possession of drug paraphernalia, and minor in possession of alcohol.
Officers recovered cash, cell phones, pocket knives, wine, beer, a .22 caliber pistol, prescription drugs, a digital camera, sunglasses, and other property believed to have been stolen. A marijuana pipe was also recovered from one of the juveniles. Investigators are working to identify the owners so that the stolen property can be returned.
If any Fairhope residents discover that property has been stolen from a vehicle, they are asked to phone the Fairhope Police Department, Criminal Investigations Division, at (251) 928-2385.
The Fairhope Police Department strongly encourages all residents to lock their car doors anytime the vehicle is unattended, including when it is parked in a residential driveway overnight. Valuables should never be left in an unlocked car. Firearm owners should take reasonable steps to protect the weapon from theft or unauthorized access.
