URGENT UPDATE: Four teenage boys from Grand Forks have been arrested in a string of car thefts that has stunned the local community. The boys, aged 13 and 14, were taken into custody on the evening of November 13, 1958, after being implicated in a series of joyrides that involved multiple stolen vehicles.
At approximately 8:30 PM on Wednesday, two 13-year-old boys voluntarily turned themselves in to the Grand Forks police following an extensive investigation. This investigation identified a total of 13 youths involved in a troubling pattern of car thefts. Authorities report that the boys would often steal cars with the keys left inside, drive them for short periods, and then abandon them.
According to Juvenile Officer Duane Johnson, the boys confessed to stealing four vehicles since Monday night. He emphasized the reckless nature of their actions, noting that they often drove the stolen cars for about 15 minutes before leaving them behind. “This behavior is concerning, and we are taking it seriously,” Johnson stated.
The situation escalated when two additional boys, aged 13 and 14, were apprehended after a stolen vehicle they were driving overturned approximately 10 miles east of East Grand Forks. The boys fled the scene on foot but were quickly pursued and apprehended with the help of local farmers.
In a related incident on Wednesday afternoon, Jack St. Lawrence, a resident of East Grand Forks, reported his 1956 model car stolen from the vicinity of the Jerome Dunlevy Ready-Mix Plant. Just half an hour after the theft, a school bus driver witnessed the stolen vehicle leave the road and overturn. The bus driver promptly notified the authorities, leading to a swift response.
St. Lawrence, upon being alerted by police, joined the search for the boys and managed to locate them with the assistance of nearby farmers. The recovered car sustained extensive damage during the joyride.
The community is now left to grapple with the implications of these incidents. Parents are urged to discuss the seriousness of theft and its consequences with their children, as local authorities prepare for upcoming proceedings in Juvenile Court.
As this story develops, residents are encouraged to stay informed and report any suspicious activities to the police. The situation remains under close watch as officials aim to address the underlying issues prompting such reckless behavior among local youths.
