In Putnam County, Florida, there have recently been a spate of vehicle thefts by teens. In 13 hours, eight teens found themselves on the wrong side of the law, and their tale is something akin to something in a novel.
The first occurred in St. Johns Avenue’s First Church of God. The five teens, who did not seem to have any regard for having employees in their midst, decided to steal a truck and a utility trailer. They may have thought no one would ever suspect them, but they were quickly shown otherwise.
Law enforcement officers heard of the robbery and began to pursue them. The teens, who might have believed they were smart and clever enough to evade lawmen, ran on foot onto Browning Avenue. Spoiler alert: They didn’t have to run for very long. The officers, in testament to their persistence, were able to trace and apprehend all five teens.
Not long after, the second encounter happened. In their case, four teens robbed a DoorDash delivery person, taking their opportunity to steal a vehicle. Little did they know, though, law enforcement officers were in their midst. The stolen vehicle was discovered by deputies in the Washington Street neighborhood and deputies made a stop on them. In their bid to evade arrest, the driver made an attempt to flee but instead collided with a vehicle on the street. The result? The trio of teens were arrested, and one 14-year-old in possession of a weapon.
These teenagers have serious charges in their faces. Among them are such crimes as grand theft auto, breaking and entering an occupied building, resisting an officer in a non-violent way, and possession of a concealed firearm. These are no light crimes. Grand theft auto is in and of itself a felony. The firearm in their possession makes them an even greater threat.
Sheriff’s deputies in Putnam County were also quick to commend the teamwork behind the arrests. But questions abound in this case. What motivated these youths to such dangerous behavior? Boredom, peer pressure, or something deeper?
Local law enforcement, who pride themselves on their timely and effective response, wonder about the larger questions. Why did teens commit crimes in the first place? For the allure of peer pressure, for adrenaline, or something deeper in play? For local communities, shock of such events goes beyond stolen vehicles—it’s youth on dangerous paths.
“We need to identify reasons such children made car theft an available choice for them,We have to offer them better options.”
Said one resident.
Police also provide tips on how to keep vehicles safe. These include keeping vehicles in lighted areas, keeping them locked, and keeping valuables in them. GPS trackers may also help stolen vehicles to be found sooner.
But the real conversation in this situation is not simply about burglaries—it’s concerning the future of such juvenile offenders. The string of events is an eye-opener for parents, teachers, and civic leaders. There is an imperative for enhanced interaction between youth and their communities to redirect them towards good behavior. The real tragedy may indeed not be in stolen vehicles—it is in such teens’ wasted potential.
