Two Elkhart County teens go on a crime spree
Posted: Dec 2, 2014 12:28 AM EST | Updated: Dec 2, 2014 9:54 PM EST
A 16-year-old and 17-year-old are suspected of a list of crimes including stealing an SUV, burglarizing a home, torching that stolen vehicle and possessing a controlled substance.
The Elkhart Sheriff's Department says the crimes happened in Elkhart and Goshen.
Around 9 a.m. Wednesday, Elkhart County Sheriff's deputies took a report of a stolen Chevy Trailblazer. It was taken from a driveway off S 9th Street and County Road 20 in Elkhart.
About two hours later, a residence of the Willows mobile home retirement community home was broken into. Valuables like TVs, jewelry, watches and an antique rifle were stolen.
Around 11:10 a.m. the teens are accused of taking a 12 minute drive to the Ashton Pines Apartment Complex in Elkhart.
Officers say they torched the stolen Trailblazer. The flames were so hot it melted the siding of a carport.
Deputies say the teens didn't make it far after the arson. Both were found walking in the Meijer parking lot off US 33.
The 16-year-old and 17-year-old were both arrested and booked at the Elkhart County Juvenile Detention Center.