NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Three 15-year-old boys have been arrested and charged with four counts of vehicle theft after investigators linked them to a series of stolen vehicles across Nashville.
According to investigators, the teens were taken into custody Thursday night after they were seen getting into a stolen 2013 Hyundai Tucson near Old Mathews Road.
Police said one of the juveniles had already been arrested on May 31 and charged in Juvenile Court with three counts of vehicle theft, resisting arrest, and possession of burglary tools.
During the investigation, Violent Crimes Division detectives learned that a Kia Rio had been stolen Wednesday morning from the 400 block of Trinity Lane. Surveillance video later showed the occupants of that vehicle stealing a Kia Sportage from the 3700 block of Dickerson Pike.
North Precinct officers recovered the stolen Kia Rio on McCarthy Park Lane on Thursday after it had been abandoned following a crash while the suspects were allegedly doing donuts.
Officers also located the stolen Hyundai Tucson nearby. Investigators determined it had been stolen from a residence across the street from where the Rio crashed.
Detectives later connected the suspects to the theft of a fourth vehicle, a blue Kia Seltos stolen from the 1100 block of Baptist World Center Drive. Surveillance footage showed the occupants of the stolen Tucson stealing the SUV.
At approximately 9:30 p.m. Thursday, detectives watched the three juveniles get into the stolen Tucson and drive away.
Investigators were able to remotely immobilize the SUV before taking all three suspects into custody. Police said the driver did not have a valid driver’s license.
Authorities said all four vehicles had their steering columns stripped and were started by hardwiring the ignition, causing significant damage.
During interviews with detectives, all three juveniles admitted to their involvement in the thefts, according to investigators.
The case will proceed through the juvenile justice system.
