Boys & Girls Clubs ad highlights crime spree in which teens told investigators they were "bored"



MILWAUKEE -- The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee has a new ad campaign that highlights a crime that made headlines back in late January/early February. Two teenage boys were charged, accused of breaking into vehicles parked at General Mitchell International Airport -- shooting out car windows with BB guns and then stealing items inside. Prosecutors say one of the teens told investigators they committed the crimes because they were "bored."

With this ad campaign, Boys and Girls Clubs officials are pointing out that young people don't have to be bored.

"Earlier, this year, two teenage boys stole a car -- not because they had somewhere to go, but because they had nowhere to go," the radio ad says.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee



"We`ve gotten an enormous amount of attention related to these ads," Vincent Lyles, president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee said.

The radio ad highlights all of the activities available at the Boys and Girls Clubs this summer.

"When the police asked why they did it, they simply said: 'We were bored,'" the radio ad says.

"It's timely. To the point. What kids care about. What their parents care about. And quite frankly, what Milwaukee`s talking about," Lyles said.

18-year-old Paris Chambers and 18-year-old Earl Blackmon III have been charged in this case.

Earl Blackmon



Blackmon III is facing the following charges:


    Paris Chambers



    Chambers faces the following charges:


      Dozens of vehicles were damaged at the parking structure at General Mitchell International Airport on January 30th, 31st and February 2nd and 3rd -- and there were vehicles shot out across Milwaukee in separate incidents. FOX6 News learned Chambers had been released from jail just days prior for stealing and crashing cars.

      Vehicles shot by BB gun in General Mitchell International Airport parking structure, damaged and broken into



      The criminal complaint filed against these young men states that Blackmon III admitted that he and Chambers shot BB guns at multiple vehicles throughout the airport parking structure. Blackmon III then said he and Chambers entered the vehicles looking for property to steal. According to the complaint, Blackmon III told investigators he and Chambers were "bored" so they would shoot their BB guns at vehicles and houses. Blackmon III said if they shot out a window of a vehicle, they would then enter the vehicle and look for property to steal. Chambers also admitted to the crimes.

      Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee



      Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee



      "When you hear a news story like this, it triggers in your mind -- 'that's it. That's exactly what we're talking about. Kids are bored.' We gotta get kids like that into our clubs, because our kids aren't bored," Steve Laughlin with Laughlin Constable said.

      Extended summer hours at 36 Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee locations begin on June 13th.

      Meanwhile, Chambers and Blackmon III will be in court in June for plea/sentencing hearings. Blackmon III will be in court on June 7th, and Chambers will be in court on June 23rd.