NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WVEC) -- Six people have been arrested in connection with a string of burglaries, auto thefts, and tampering with cars in Newport News.
On Monday, Newport News police responded to the 500 block of Blue Point Terrace around 3:30 a.m. to a tampering with a vehicle call. Dispatch was alerted that six people were involved.
Once on the scene, police found and detained four juveniles and two adults in and around a black Mercedes sedan. The sedan was reported stolen from Newport News.
After the preliminary investigation, officers found all 6 suspects had property in their possession that didn't belong to them. The items were listed as stolen from previous burglaries, auto thefts, and tampering with cars.
After digging a little deeper, detectives were able to get additional information on the suspects. Officials were able to connect the suspects to additional burglaries in the North end of the city, as well as, numerous auto thefts and tampering with auto cases. Stolen items included 70 sets of vehicle keys that were believed to be stolen from six businesses located in the North Precinct of the city.
Investigators believe members of the group have been tampering with vehicles on a regular basis since January of this year.
Due to the severity and volume of the number of incidents involving the suspect over 100 charges can be placed against the individuals.
The magnitude of charges and suspects was so large that officers from all three Newport News precincts were involving in the investigation.
“This was a great example of a collaborate effort between multiple units across all precincts,” said Sgt. Brendon Bartley in a press release.
The 4 juvenile's ages range from 15 to 17-years-old. One female and three male juveniles have been charged with a range of offenses include Curfew Violations, Burglary, Conspiracy to Commit Grand Larceny, and Petit Larceny to Tampering with Auto. Since the juveniles are not 18 their identities have not been released.
The two men arrested in connection with these crimes were 20-year-old Ethan Allan Evans from Virginia Beach, and 19-year-old Dominic Terrell Heflin from Newport News.
Evans has been charged with 6 counts of Burglary, 5 counts of Grand Larceny, and 13 counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of Minors.
Heflin has been charged with two counts of Burglary, Accessory after the Fact in a Felony, and four counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of Minor.
Newport News Police will release additional information when it becomes available.
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