Over the weekend, Union County Sheriff's Office in Monroe, NC, reported a halted juvenile car theft attempt brought to light by the attentiveness of its deputies. According to a post on the Union County Sheriff's Office official Facebook page, early Saturday morning, a Union County Sheriff's deputy, while on proactive patrol at an apartment complex on Faith Church Road, encountered two adolescents in the act of trying to break into a resident’s vehicle. "As the deputy attempted to speak with them, one suspect fled on foot into a nearby wooded area," stated the post.
The on-scene deputies discovered that the juveniles had already broken the vehicle's window, and the subsequent investigation led them to conclude that the intention was to indeed purloin the car. The Sheriff's Office initiated a thorough search for the absconding suspect, deploying a K-9 to track through the woods. These efforts eventually paid off as both offenders were identified and located. Despite their efforts to secure custody orders for the 13 and 14-year-olds from the Department of Juvenile Justice, the requests were denied. The young offenders were consequently released to their families.
Each juvenile is set to face multiple charges related to this incident, including Felony Breaking and Entering and Attempted Larceny of a Motor Vehicle. The Union County Sheriff's Office, however, has refrained from disclosing the names or photos of the suspects due to their age. "Both offenders will be charged with multiple offenses related to this case," the Union County Sheriff's Office affirmed in their social media statement.
The incident brings to the forefront the continuous challenge law enforcement encounters in trying to hold juvenile offenders accountable for their actions. Sheriff Cathey emphasized in a statement obtained by the Union County Sheriff's Office the role of community vigilance, urging residents "to immediately report suspicious or criminal activity in your area by calling 911 or our main office at (704) 283-3789." This call to action by the Sheriff is a testament to the complex interplay of community involvement and police work in maintaining public safety.
