Two Illinois teenagers are in trouble with the law after being accused of involvement in a string of burglaries. The juvenile offense allegedly occurred when the teens entered several vehicles parked on a street in Maryville, Illinois, with the intent to commit a crime. They are now facing several charges in that incident as well as prior incidents.
In the incident that led to their arrest, police assert that the teenagers entered four vehicles, including one U-Haul truck, intending to steal items out of the vehicles in question. Authorities believe they are also responsible for two vehicle thefts that occurred back in July. They have been charged with six counts of burglary in the incidents.
However, the boys are also accused of another juvenile offense: possession of drugs. During the arrest, authorities allegedly uncovered drugs in the teenager’s possession, specifically cannabis and Alprazolam, also known as Xanax. They are now facing charges related to that as well. Both of the teenagers are being held at a local jail in lieu of bail.
A juvenile offense could require the presentation of a criminal defense, though it is unknown why authorities believe that the teens are responsible for the burglaries. There was no mention of the discovery of stolen property in their possession or eyewitnesses that link them to the alleged crimes. Also, it is important to keep in mind that simply being charged with a crime is not an indication of guilt. Both of these teens are innocent until proven guilty and will have the opportunity to fight the charges against them in an Illinois court. For now, it would likely help them if they familiarized themselves with the legal rights they possess related to the charges they are facing as they seek to establish their innocence.
Source: The Edwardsville Intelligencer, “2 charged in car burglaries,” Steve Horrell, Sept. 1, 2012