VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) — Four teens were arrested in connection with a string of vehicle break-ins that included the theft of a DoorDash food delivery, according to the Valdosta Police Department (VPD).

What happened

Officers said they responded to the 1700 block of Springhill Place on Sept. 8 at 2:45 a.m. after a report of young people breaking into cars. The victim told officers the teens broke into his vehicle and stole his DoorDash delivery of McDonald’s.

When officers arrived, they saw several people running from the area, police said. During a short chase, officers caught a 16-year-old.

Officers then found a 13-year-old hiding in the woods and a 15-year-old hiding in a trash dumpster, VPD said. Three teens were taken into custody, and officers found evidence connecting them to at least two vehicles that had been broken into.

Charges filed

All three teens were charged with the following, VPD said:

• Felony theft by entering autos (2 counts)
• Felony financial transaction card theft
• Curfew violation
• Obstruction of an officer
• Theft by taking

Officials said the 16-year-old also gave officers a false name and got another misdemeanor charge of providing a false name to officers.

The Department of Juvenile Justice authorized the 15- and 16-year-olds to be detained at a Regional Youth Detention Center, while the 13-year-old was released to his parents, police said. The 15- and 16-year-olds were taken to the Lowndes County Jail for transport to the detention center.

Fourth teen arrested

At 7:30 a.m., a citizen called E911 to report that a 16-year-old who was allegedly also involved in the break-ins was at a residence in the 1400 block of North St. Augustine Road, police said. Officers had already received the names of two offenders who had not been caught earlier that morning.

When officers contacted that teen, they confirmed he was another subject involved in the incident, according to police. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with the same offenses as the other three teens.

The 16-year-old was taken to the Lowndes County Jail for transport to a Regional Youth Detention Center, police said.

Police comment

“This was great teamwork by the victim, officers, and the Lowndes County E911 dispatchers, who worked together to get information out to ensure these offenders were arrested,” Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan said. “When the victim received notice that his food delivery was made, he looked out the window to see not only that they were breaking into his car, but they stole his food and were sitting across the street eating it. Apparently, their plan to eat first and run second did not work out very well, as officers did an outstanding job locating them quickly, including one who thought a trash dumpster was an effective hiding place.”

Investigation continues

The case is still under investigation, and more charges are expected, police said. Anyone who saw the incident or has more information is asked to call the Valdosta Police Department at 229-242-2606, the crime tip line at 229-293-3091 or file a tip online here.

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