Ashwaubenon officials: Seven vehicle stolen in seven days...and seven teens may be responsible



ASHWAUBENON (WITI) -- Seven vehicles stolen in at least seven days.... and seven teens may be behind the thefts. Police say the crimes could have been easily prevented, and the most recent victim of the crime spree agrees -- but he still has some questions.

"Lived in Ashwaubenon for 40-some years. I never lock my truck. Safe neighborhood, and everybody's good, but I guess I lock it from now on," Jim Degrave said.

That's because his truck wasn't in his driveway on Wednesday morning, July 23rd.

"We're in the middle of filling out the report when he says, 'get in the car. We think it's just down the road,'" Degraves said.

The truck was discovered on a trail in nearby Sherwood Forest Park. When an officer went back to the scene, he saw four kids run off.

Two were quickly arrested.

Two others ran into the woods and were later found -- one by a police K9 officer.

Police say the teens - all from Green Bay - were behind four car thefts in Green Bay, one in Hobart/Lawrence, one in Outagamie County and Wednesday morning's theft in Ashwaubenon.

Three girls are also facing charges for going along for the rides.

"They used them for what they were going to use them for, in this case with the truck from Ashwaubenon, they used it, took it for a joy ride, went to McDonald's, got some food and then found a place to hide it," Ashwaubenon Public Safety Lt. Jody Crocker said.

Police say the teens are also suspected in 20 car break-ins where they were looking for keys, drugs or money. Crimes of opportunity, police say are easily preventable.

"You know, it was my fault, I left the keys in it," Degraves said.

Degraves' truck is in decent shape - save for a few scratches and a sticker honoring his deceased son getting scratched off.

"That hurts more than them even taking the truck," Degraves said.

Police say its clear the teens didn't realize the seriousness of the crimes.

"The ages of these kids are between 11 and 15 years old. That's awfully young to be starting this kind of a crime spree," Lt. Crocker said.

So where are their parents?

"That's a good question. These kids are out in the middle of the night and they're running around and wreaking havoc in our communities and their parents either thought they were somewhere else, or didn't really know where they were at the time," Lt. Crocker said.

Police say the 14-year old that was taken down by the police dog was taken to the hospital for minor injuries and taken into custody.