UPDATE: Four teenage boys from Grand Forks have been arrested following a string of car thefts, shocking the local community. The boys, aged 13 and 14, were taken into custody on November 13, 1958, after turning themselves in to police late Wednesday evening.
Witnesses reported the boys had been involved in a car theft investigation that implicated 13 youths in total. Authorities confirmed that two 13-year-olds surrendered at the Grand Forks Police Station around 8:30 p.m. on November 12, after a spree that included stealing and joyriding multiple vehicles.
The other two boys, aged 13 and 14, were arrested after they overturned a stolen car approximately 10 miles east of East Grand Forks. According to Juvenile Officer Duane Johnson, the boys had taken at least four cars since Monday night, often choosing vehicles with keys left inside.
The troubling trend of youth car theft has left residents on edge. Reports indicated that the boys drove the stolen cars for about 15 minutes before abandoning them. Authorities had previously released them to their parents while awaiting juvenile court proceedings.
The situation escalated when local resident Jack St. Lawrence reported his 1956 model car stolen from near the Jerome Dunlevy Ready-Mix Plant. Just half an hour later, a school bus driver witnessed a car leave the road and flip over. The driver saw two young boys flee the scene on foot, prompting a search.
St. Lawrence, alerted by police, quickly mobilized community members to track down the fleeing teens, ultimately leading to their capture. The damage to his vehicle was extensive, highlighting the serious consequences of the boys’ reckless actions.
As this story develops, authorities are urging parents to monitor their children closely and engage in conversations about the ramifications of such behavior. The community is left to grapple with the implications of juvenile delinquency and the need for preventive measures.
Stay tuned for further updates on this urgent situation as police continue to investigate the full extent of the thefts and the involvement of the young suspects.
