Four arrested following Vader crime spree

Four teenagers have been taken into custody following a recent rash of property crimes in South Lewis County and its surrounding areas.

Lewis County Sheriff’s Sgt. Robert Snaza reported a group of youths ages 13 to 16 are suspected of multiple car prowls taking place in Vader last week, in which many miscellaneous items such as loose change, candy, a child’s doll and a clip of 9mm ammunition were stolen.

Snaza said the teens are also suspected of a July 11 burglary in which 30 bottles of wine and a .22 caliber rifle were stolen, stating two of the suspects confessed to the crime Friday and items such as the rifle were recovered yesterday.

Other such property crimes have taken place recently in Toledo and Castle Rock, according to local law enforcement, all with similar M.O.s and within a few days of each other. Snaza said all the vehicles his deputies encountered had been unlocked at the time of the thefts and the ultimate goal of the teens, according to suspect interviews, had been to gather “beer money.”

Deputies investigating the thefts have said they expect such crimes to diminish once school begins and teens have less free time. Meanwhile, residents are encouraged to report any missing items from their vehicles or property as well as suspicious activity such as teens wandering around at night, as the thefts took place around the hours of midnight and 1 p.m.