Two teenage boys allegedly went on a crime spree Friday
afternoon and ended up in Juvenile Hall as a result, according to
Morgan Hill Police Cmdr. David Swing.
Morgan Hill – Two teenage boys allegedly went on a crime spree Friday afternoon and ended up in Juvenile Hall as a result, according to Morgan Hill Police Cmdr. David Swing.
The teens, 15 and 16, were booked into the facility, which houses violent juvenile offenders, on charges of alleged resisting arrest, two counts of robbery and auto burglary. One of the teens also violated probation terms.
The victims of the robberies were five 11- and 12-year-old boys, Swing said.
Swing said the crime spree began after school on Friday, at approximately 3:30. The first victim was walking home near the intersection of East Main Avenue and Calle Mazatan when the two suspects allegedly approached him and demanded he give them his iPod, Swing said. The boy told them he didn’t have an iPod, and one of the suspects allegedly punched him in the face and stole his cell phone. The cell phone was later recovered on one of the suspects, Swing said.
Later, the suspects reportedly threatened another victim with an empty coke bottle, demanding his cell phone. They took the cell phone and left the area.
Swing said the suspects, whose descriptions had been reported to police by the victims, were spotted by Morgan Hill Police Animal Control officer Daniel Pina. The suspects ran off in two different directions with officers in pursuit. One of the suspects was caught by Morgan Hill police Cmdr. Joe Sampson at the Community and Cultural Center behind the amphitheater. Officer Steve Pennington apprehended the other suspect by the Caltrain station on Depot Street.
The teenagers, who were identified by the victims as the suspects who robbed them, may have also burglarized a vehicle during the afternoon spree, said Swing, but evidence was not conclusive, and other vehicles in the area had been burglarized. One of the suspects had stolen property from one of the victims on his person, he added.
There could be a possible gang enhancement charge because the teens may be gang members. Victims reported they yelled gang slurs, and one of the suspects allegedly showed a victim his red belt.
