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Three juveniles are suspected of robbing six homes on Morrison Island, Syracuse, in March. Police are working on recovery of stolen items from the homes.
Brian Belcher, North Webster; Kyle Hilgenberg, Leesburg; and Peter Cullers, North Webster, all 16, allegedly admitted to the six robberies that are part of a rash of break-ins in the Syracuse area.
According to police reports, a Department of Natural Resources officer was checking a game preserve Sunday evening when he saw Belcher and Hilgenberg in the area. He reportedly followed the two teens into the preserve and saw them uncovering two pillowcases.
The pillowcases were reportedly filled with bottles of alcohol, some of which were identified as stolen from the Harry Finch home. Reports said that items were allegedly discovered near Cullers' home. The pillowcases had reportedly been covered with a brown plastic tarp.
The juveniles were taken into custody and later released to their parents. Police reports said the teens implicated themselves in the break-ins when giving police statements.
Police said the teens and their parents are very cooperative, but it will take time to recover more of the items taken from the houses.
According to police reports, the break-ins occurred between March 15 and 21. Police responded to a break-in call at John Howard's home on Grand Boulevard on March 21. While investigating the area, they found the five other homes had been burglarized.
Howard reported liquor stolen from his home. Finch reported vintage wine and liquor stolen as well as entertainment equipment including nine VCRs, several TVs and stereos stolen. The other homes belonging to Max Long, Matt Klotz, Billie McArdle and Mark Shambaugh reported minor damage from the break-ins.
The information on the case will be forwarded to the probation department to deal with the juveniles.
The break-ins are still under investigation. Police are also still investigating the 19 other break-ins that occurred on Pickwick Park Drive and Waco Drive.
