In the latest in a string of such announcements, the Colorado Springs Police Department issued notice on its police blotter about the arrest of a 15-year-old male and a 12-year-old male yesterday as suspected of having committed motor vehicle theft. 

The arrests were triggered by a special unit of the police department that began work on the case in September. The investigators identified the 15 and 12-year-old boys as “often together during these vehicle thefts.” 

Investigators are charging the 15-year-old with one count of motor vehicle theft. The 12-year-old is being charged with two motor vehicle theft charges. The 15-year-old was booked into the Zebulon Pike Juvenile Youth Services Center, and the 12-year-old was released to a family member. 

The charges against the two juveniles are just the latest in a string of juvenile crime incidents in recent weeks and months. Last week the department announced that two 14-year-olds, already facing charges for alleged retail burglary crimes in October, were also being charged with smash-and-grab-style crimes in August, which included burglaries from two pawn shops (including 28 stolen firearms) and two motor vehicle thefts. And in June police reported a 12-year-old was immediately found and charged for their part in a vehicle theft and gun store robbery. 

Since the names and records of juvenile suspects are not released by authorities, it is uncertain how many of these suspects are repeat offenders. 

Two 14-year-olds arrested for involvement in August smash-and-grab

End of summer brings more smash-and-grab cases in Colorado Springs; another shop hit Tuesday