Police say residents in the Olin Heights and Ardsley Park areas of midtown Savannah teamed up with officers Wednesday night to help arrest of three juveniles.
Residents near East 54th and Battey streets noticed three 14-year-old males attempting to enter a white BMW sedan about 8:45 p.m. and called 911, said Julian Miller, Savannah-Chatham police spokesman. Then they took note of the descriptions and direction of travel and advised responding officers.
Patrol officers, a K-9 officer and police helicopter that had been involved in a nearby training operation secured the area and pursued the teens. One was wearing an ankle monitor from a previous arrest and another had removed a monitor assigned to him, Miller said. None of the suspects live in the area.
“Entering auto complaints have been an increasing concern in these neighborhoods for the past few weeks and residents responded appropriately,” said Capt. DeVonn Adams, commander of the Central Precinct. “They talked to each other and used social media sites to warn each other to lock their cars, take their valuables or put them out of sight, and pay close attention to who is doing what near their homes. When they saw something suspicious, they called 911 and advised officers of what they had seen. The result was the arrest of three suspects.
“But, it doesn’t end here. We don’t know how many of the cases these young men had been involved in and there is always someone to take their place. Continued cooperation will help control the criminal element.”
All three juveniles were charged with criminal trespass and obstruction by fleeing, Miller said. Other charges are pending against the teen who had removed the monitor.
Central Precinct detectives continue to investigate.