VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A group of teenagers are facing charges for their alleged role in a recent string of thefts across the area. Police say the group is responsible for 23 reported thefts, potentially even more.
Officers with the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) took four teens into custody, ages 15 to 17, on Monday in connection to the crime spree that involved them breaking into cars, stealing them, and being in possession of stolen guns.
Detectives say in total they have recovered four stolen cars and two guns in connection to this case and the investigation remains ongoing.
The suspects face multiple charges, including grand larceny of a motor vehicle, possession of stolen goods, and possession of guns by individuals under 18. Due to their ages, their identities will not be revealed to the public.
Police say this investigation underscores a growing concern: car-related crimes, particularly the theft of guns from unlocked cars, are on the rise in Virginia Beach, Hampton Roads, and nationwide. The VBPD's message to the community is clear: lock your vehicles, take your keys, and remove valuables, especially guns. These simple steps can drastically reduce the likelihood of such crimes, according to investigators.
Police Chief Paul Neudigate emphasized the community's role in crime prevention by saying, "We have seen a direct connection between these crimes of opportunity and stolen firearms that end up used in violent incidents in our city. Our residents and visitors play a crucial role in helping VBPD keep Virginia Beach safe; by simply locking their vehicles and ensuring all valuables are removed, especially firearms, together we can keep guns out of the hands of those not legally allowed to possess them and those that intend to use them to commit further crimes.”
To help assist VBPD in investigating these types of crimes, citizens can register or integrate their security cameras with our Real Time Crime Center by visiting https://keepvirginiabeachsafe.org.
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