14-year-old charged with burglarizing a Covington home, stealing rifle
COVINGTON, Tenn. — A 14-year-old in Tipton County is accused of breaking into a home and stealing an assault rifle.
The teenager was arrested and charged for allegedly burglarizing a home on Highway 179, taking a Ruger AR-15 with two fully loaded magazines.
As of now, police are still looking for the stolen rifle.
“We don’t know where he has hidden it,” Covington Police Chief Donna Turner said. “(We don’t know) if he has gotten rid of it or exactly what has happened to the gun.”
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Even without it, Covington police still felt like they had enough evidence to take the 14-year-old to court.
“In this particular case, with it being an aggravated burglary of a residence involving a firearm, we would request that he be held in a facility until he can go to court,” Turner said.
However, his housing until his court date is much different than it would be if he were an adult.
“There were no beds that were available for us to house this particular juvenile,” Turner said. “And then he was put on an ankle monitor and released to his parent until the court date.”
For Turner, she sees a lack of space as fuel for juveniles committing more serious adult-type crimes.
“Unfortunately the juveniles that are committing the crimes know that and take advantage of that,” Turner said.
The issue has grown to the point where community members are trying to find ways to help rehabilitate troubled youth.
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“I reached out to Congressman Cohen and asked were there any funds available to help build that facility,” Felisha Mason said.
Mason, with Covington’s Boys and Girls Club, has heard stories from club members about the impact crime and violence has had on their young lives.
She tells WREG she hopes to hear something soon because too many kids she works with are already in jeopardy.
As for the 14-year-old involved in this case, he is due back in court on May 6.
If anyone knows about the whereabouts of the stolen rifle, they are urged to contact Covington Police at 901-475-1261.
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