The suspects, ages 13 to 17, allegedly made off with about $8,000 in merchandise and caused $50,000 in property damage at several stores
Five Florida teenagers accused of crashing stolen cars into GameStop stores to steal video games and consoles have been arrested, according to authorities.
The series of burglaries occurred from Dec. 30 to Jan. 1, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. The suspects, who range in age from 13 to 17, allegedly made off with about $8,000 in merchandise and caused $50,000 in property damage.
“Using stolen vehicles, these offenders would drive through the front doors of the businesses, enter on foot in clothing used to conceal their identities, and steal expensive gaming equipment before fleeing,” police said.
Surveillance footage shows the alleged suspects during one such incident, police said.
Sheriff T.K. Waters believes the teens may have gotten the idea on the internet.
“Driving cars through business doors to gain entry during burglaries is part of a national trend that young people are learning about online,” he said in the release. “While it is extremely disappointing to see our youth using social media for self-education in criminal behavior, we cannot and will not tolerate crime in our community, even if those committing them are juveniles.”