Two kids have been arrested for alleged car break-ins in Palm Coast, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office announced on Tuesday. A 15-year-old and a 12-year-old are accused of stealing fishing poles in Palm Coast’s U Section.
The FCSO was first contacted about the break-ins on Sunday, May 3. The victim reported that their truck on Union Court was accessed, and that several fishing poles were stolen from it.
According to the FCSO, the truck was unlocked in the victim’s driveway. Being that the fishing poles were custom-made, their value was estimated at $1,550 by the FCSO.
During the investigation, detectives became aware of a video on the social media app Snapchat which appeared to show the stolen fishing poles. A vehicle allegedly used by the suspects was identified, and detectives surmised it was at Union Court on the night the poles were stolen.
On Tuesday, May 5, detectives interviewed the two juvenile suspects. Their mothers were both present at the time of the interview. During this process, detectives located the stolen fishing poles and returned them to the victim.
Eight days later, on Wednesday, May 13, both juveniles were charged with burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and grand theft. They were processed at the county jail and then turned over to the Volusia County Department of Juvenile Justice.
“These juveniles went carhopping and turned a neighborhood into their hunting ground fishing hole, but our deputies and detectives reeled in the facts — from social media and surveillance video to the recovery of stolen property and the arrests,” said Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly. “If you leave your vehicle unlocked, you’re practically baiting thieves, so lock your car doors and take valuables inside. Hopefully, these juveniles will learn a lesson and get back on the right track.”
