INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 16-year-old who stole five watches worth $1,000 total along with a suitcase from a neighbor’s home, was arrested Wednesday, authorities said.
The teen, who is white, told responding officers “he saw a black male go into the yard of the burglarized home,” reports show. That statement later proved to be false.
Indian River County sheriff’s deputies arrested the teen, of Vero Beach, on a burglary charge. It’s unclear if the teen is being held at the Indian River County Jail or was taken to a juvenile detention center.
Deputies responded to reports of a burglary about 3 p.m. Wednesday in the 1800 block of 6th Avenue Southwest. Deputies spoke with the victim, who said a person opened his fence gate and broke into his home through the bathroom window while the victim was not at the residence.
Deputies then went to a home just south of the burglarized residence and spoke to a teen and his father. The father said his son brought home a suitcase – worth $100 – and other items that did not belong in the home.
The father told deputies his son had a history of stealing things, reports show. The teen then admitted to stealing the suitcase and watches.
The victim was able to identify the stolen items that belonged to him. The teen was arrested and taken to the county jail.
