Lincoln Police say two 13 year olds and two 14 year olds are in trouble with the law after stealing a vehicle and burglarizing a liquor store.
According to a media release from the LPD, an officer was in the are of 60th and Havelock Ave. around 4:00 Thursday morning when they noticed that the front glass of the Castle Liquor store was busted out. Police say officers had already been in the area earlier in the evening and believed the damage likely occurred between 3:00 AM and 3:40 AM.
Officers canvassed the area and collected video evidence as they processed the scene. Police say around 2:00 Thursday morning, neighbors in the area of the 100 block of Sante Fe Trail reported a hit and run to police. The witnesses told police that they saw a grey GMC Yukon back out of a driveway and hitting a car parked in the street. When the owners of the Yukon were contacted they reported that their vehicle was missing along with their teen aged daughter.
The vehicle was later located around 4:00 AM at a gas station near 23rd and Cornhusker Highway by one of the victim's of the auto theft. He tells police when he approached the vehicle, several juveniles fled the area. The victim said he recognized several of the juveniles.
When officers arrived they observed several alcohol bottles, cigars and realistic looking BB gun in the vehicle. The owner of Castle Liquor identified that these were the items stolen from his store moments earlier. Officers were then sent to the area of 14th and Knox as the other victim of the auto theft located some of the juveniles who fled.
Two girls, 13 years old and 14 years old, were referred to the Lancaster County Attorney's Office for charges of Theft by Unlawful taking for taking the vehicle, as well as Accessory to a Felony for their role in the burglary. One boy, 13 years old, was referred for Burglary at Castle Liquor and another boy, 14 years old, was referred for Burglary and Theft by Receiving for being in possession of the stolen vehicle. All four were turned back over to their parents.
The total theft loss from Castle Liquor was just over $200 with damage around $350.