Four teens arrested after string of car break-ins, school lockdowns in Jones County

The Jones County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday arrested four juveniles aged 13 to 16, all believed to be runaways from the Georgia Industrial Children’s Home in Bibb County, for allegedly breaking into cars.

Police said they responded to about 15 to 20 auto theft incidents early Tuesday morning in the Crestview Woods neighborhood and located the suspects near Jones County High School, prompting four school lockdowns.

Investigator John Simmons said the suspects stole a car in Bibb County to flee from the Georgia Industrial Children’s home. The home, which provides housing for males aged 11 to 18 who have experienced trauma, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

The suspects also stole a diesel truck in Jones County, which broke down after they filled it with gas, according to the sheriff’s office. They allegedly began walking near Jones County’s high and elementary schools armed with a stolen weapon, before fleeing on foot.

During the chase, one of the suspects tossed the gun, which officers found behind Jones County Pre-K, Simmons said.

“As always, the safety of our schools and students is of the upmost importance. In this case, law enforcement and school officials responded quickly, detained all suspects and recovered the firearm and other evidence,” the sheriff’s office said in a press release.

All schools resumed normal operations after the four suspects were detained.

All four suspects were pending transport to a Regional Youth Detention Center Tuesday.

The investigation was still ongoing Wednesday morning.