Festus Police are asking residents who may be victims of recent vehicle break-ins to contact the department and identify their stolen possessions.
Two Festus teens were arrested early today (Jan. 16) for allegedly stealing items from vehicles parked in the city.
A 17-year-old and 19-year-old admitted to the crimes after their arrests hours apart near the Alexander Heights subdivision in Festus.
“We had a citizen call us around 2:15 a.m. – which is what we need – saying he saw someone breaking into cars,” Lewis said. “Around 2:30 a.m. we found and arrested the 17-year-old in the Alexander Heights area. He admitted to the car break-ins. Other officers set up a perimeter and around 5 a.m. saw the 19-year-old walking and arrested him. He also admitted to the break-ins. We recovered a vehicle full of property.”
Lewis said the suspects also told police they sought unlocked vehicles.
“They did say the vehicles they broke into all were unlocked,” he said.
Lewis urges people to lock their vehicles.
“Please don’t’ leave personal property in your car and lock your doors,” he said.
At 11 a.m. today, the suspects were still in custody, Lewis said.
“We are asking for charges of stealing under $500 as of now,” he said. “We know we have a lot of property, but we don’t know how much of it is stolen.”
The investigation is ongoing and the department may seek additional charges, the chief said.
“If anyone has been the victim of a car break-in and had something stolen, please call the police to identify your property,” Lewis said.
The phone number for the Festus Police is 636-937-3646.