On July 23, 2014, just after midnight Lafayette officers were dispatched to the 800 block of South Public Road after a witness observed three individuals entering motor vehicles. The witness described the individuals as two males and one female and provided clothing descriptions.
Lafayette officers quickly responded to the area and located three individuals matching the descriptions provided by the witness in the area of East Spaulding Street and Merlin Drive. Contacted were an adult male, juvenile male and juvenile female. While being interviewed, the adult male admitted he was with the juvenile male and female who were responsible for entering at least 20 motor vehicles and attempting to enter more than 100 additional vehicles. Each of the vehicles that were entered were unlocked at the time. None of the vehicles were forced open. According to the adult male the crime spree began on North Dover Street on the west side of Old Town Lafayette and continued to east Old Town Lafayette where they were contacted by police. Lafayette Officers recovered 42 pieces of evidence including a diamond bracelet with a price tag valuing it at $1,125.00.
The adult male was released from the scene. The juvenile male was taken into custody and charged with multiple felonies for the thefts from the motor vehicles. He also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest out of Jefferson County and was listed as a missing juvenile out of Littleton. The Juvenile female was also taken into custody and charged with multiple felonies for the thefts from the motor vehicles. She too had an outstanding warrant for her arrest out of Jefferson County and was listed as a missing juvenile out of Westminster. It is believed these individuals are responsible for similar thefts from motor vehicles that have been occurring recently in Lafayette.
The Lafayette Police Department is encouraging anyone who feels they may have been victimized by these individuals to please notify the police.
The Lafayette Police Department would like to remind everyone to please lock your vehicles while unattended and remove all valuables. This is another example of outstanding police work and cooperation with the public.