Extra Patrols Lead To Busts In Syracuse
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Daniel [email protected]
In the past six weeks, Syracuse Police reported around 40 cars were broken into in and around the Syracuse area. Money and small items were stolen from the vehicles.
To combat the increase in break-ins, Syracuse Police set up extra patrols Wednesday.
Police took 11 juveniles into custody for curfew violations, and it was determined five of the juveniles were involved in the thefts. Charges against the juveniles will be filed through the Kosciusko Juvenile Probation Department.
During the investigation, police received a report of a stolen Mazda Protege that was taken from a downtown business. Hours after the report, police arrested Jeffrey A. Sechrist, 22, Syracuse, and Tyler Niles, 19, Goshen, on charges of auto theft.
According to police, Sechrist and Niles were in an area of Elkhart County known as "Bainter Town" when their vehicle broke down. The two men received a ride back to Syracuse, but apparently wanted to go back to their car at some point, police said. The two men then allegedly stole the Protege and drove back to Bainter Town.
Sechrist and Niles were both booked into Kosciusko County Jail on auto theft, a class D felony.
Niles was booked on a $5,000 bond.
Sechrist also was charged with fraud and conversion for allegedly stealing a purse from a vehicle in North Webster and using a credit card that was in the purse. No bond was set for Sechrist.
Syracuse Police Chief Tony Ciriello said the increase in the thefts isn't due to the increased summer population.
"It's not a normal thing for it to get where it did," said Ciriello.
Juveniles violating curfew seems to be a reason, according to Ciriello.
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In the past six weeks, Syracuse Police reported around 40 cars were broken into in and around the Syracuse area. Money and small items were stolen from the vehicles.
To combat the increase in break-ins, Syracuse Police set up extra patrols Wednesday.
Police took 11 juveniles into custody for curfew violations, and it was determined five of the juveniles were involved in the thefts. Charges against the juveniles will be filed through the Kosciusko Juvenile Probation Department.
During the investigation, police received a report of a stolen Mazda Protege that was taken from a downtown business. Hours after the report, police arrested Jeffrey A. Sechrist, 22, Syracuse, and Tyler Niles, 19, Goshen, on charges of auto theft.
According to police, Sechrist and Niles were in an area of Elkhart County known as "Bainter Town" when their vehicle broke down. The two men received a ride back to Syracuse, but apparently wanted to go back to their car at some point, police said. The two men then allegedly stole the Protege and drove back to Bainter Town.
Sechrist and Niles were both booked into Kosciusko County Jail on auto theft, a class D felony.
Niles was booked on a $5,000 bond.
Sechrist also was charged with fraud and conversion for allegedly stealing a purse from a vehicle in North Webster and using a credit card that was in the purse. No bond was set for Sechrist.
Syracuse Police Chief Tony Ciriello said the increase in the thefts isn't due to the increased summer population.
"It's not a normal thing for it to get where it did," said Ciriello.
Juveniles violating curfew seems to be a reason, according to Ciriello.
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