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OREM — Three teenage boys were arrested Tuesday after police said they stole two cars and broke into more than 60 others.
Police said the trouble started early Monday morning after the three boys arrived at Orem Junior High School.
"Two 13-year olds and a 14-year-old decided to (skip) school, and they all walked down to southwest Provo,” Orem Police Lt. Craig Martinez said.
After hanging out for the day, the boys walked around trying to find a place to sleep, he said.
“When it got dark, they all came up with the idea to go car hopping, go commit some auto burglaries,” Martinez said. “They hit a couple of neighborhoods down in Provo, checking car doors. They were getting into cars that were left unlocked, so they weren’t breaking any windows or forcing their way into these cars.”
Police said the teens eventually came to a car with the keys inside.
"(They were) stealing some property and came across an '86 Cadillac DeVille that had the keys inside," Martine said. "(They) were sick of walking and decided they would steal this car. So you have got three juveniles, 14 is the oldest one in there, driving around in a car.”
After driving around Provo and Orem, the boys pulled into a neighborhood near Timpanogos Regional Hospital and began stealing from cars again, police said.
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Police said the teens found keys and a purse inside a 2000 Ford Windstar and stole the vehicle. They drove around and went into a Wal-Mart, where they used credit cards stolen from the van to buy items.
They later parked the van and walked to a nearby neighborhood, committing more auto burglaries before being arrested, police said.
The teens were arrested and booked into detention for investigation of theft of a vehicle, possession of stolen properties, theft from a vehicle, criminal mischief and unlawful use of a credit card.
Police said most of the burglaries happened between 400 West and 600 West, and 900 North and 1000 North.
Police recovered several items, including clothing, cellphones, makeup, cash, sunglasses, MP3 players, knifes, duffel bags and various electronic devices.
Anyone who thinks the teens broke into their car can contact Orem police at 801-229-7070.
Contributing: Viviane Vo-Duc
