Two teens arrested and charged with breaking into cars

Bainbridge Public Safety arrested a 17-year-old and a juvenile in connection with five auto break-ins that happened Thursday night.

Akeem Darrell Miller, 17, of 100 S. Sims St., Bainbridge, was arrested and charged with five counts of entering auto with intent to commit theft, loitering or prowling and misdemeanor theft by taking. BPS also took a juvenile male into custody and he was arrested on the same charges.

The auto break-ins happened on Pecan Drive, Stewart Avenue and Julia Circle, in a neighborhood south of College Street in Bainbridge.

According to Bainbridge Public Safety Investigator Chip Nix, around 10pm Thursday night, an officer was patrolling a neighborhood near Bainbridge Middle School when he noticed an interior light burning inside of a parked vehicle.   He determined that the vehicle had been rummaged through, and proceeded to notify the vehicle’s owner.   Due to prior “Entering Auto” incidents in the area, officers began canvassing the neighborhood looking for other vehicles that may have been entered.

Two suspicious persons were spotted walking in the area of the incidents and were stopped by Public Safety officers for questioning.  Several items were found on both individuals matching the descriptions of items missing from various vehicles in the area.  After questioning, Akeem Miller, aged 17 of Bainbridge, and a 16 year old juvenile were both arrested and charged with four counts of Entering Autos (felonies) and one count of Loitering and Prowling.

Items taken from vehicles were found stashed in the yards of several neighborhood homes, or were in the possession of the arrested individuals.  Stolen items included car radios, a cd player, a watch, clippers, money, a small cooler containing food items, a toiletry bag, medical supplies, and miscellaneous small items.   Thanks to the hard work of officers last night and today, all recovered items are being returned to their owners.

Vehicles were parked at residences located along Pecan Drive, Woodland Drive, Morningside Drive, and Stewart Avenue.

Public Safety officers are asking citizens to remove all valuables, and lock doors to lessen the risk of having your vehicle broken into.  Also, be aware of suspicious persons and/or vehicles in your neighborhood.  Any unusual activity should be reported to 911, along with a description.  It is also permissible to snap a photo of the suspicious person and/or vehicle to aid officers in an investigation.