Tuscaloosa police charge 12-year-old in string of vehicle thefts

Jasmine Hollie, Tuscaloosa News
Updated ·1 min read
7

A 12-year-old faces multiple charges in connection with a string of vehicle thefts in Tuscaloosa.

Stepahine Taylor, a spokeswoman with the Tuscaloosa Police Department, said TPD’s Criminal Investigations Division arrested the juvenile, who police believe is responsible for multiple vehicle thefts reported over the last two months.

The juvenile was arrested Saturday after an officer observed him driving a stolen vehicle at a high speed on James I. Harrison Jr. Parkway. The officer conducted a traffic stop, and found that the driver was wearing gloves and had a screwdriver and other tools in his pockets.

Sirens
Sirens

Taylor said investigators determined the juvenile was responsible for stealing eight vehicles reported stolen between March 30 and April 21, and attempting to steal three vehicles between March 20 and April 3.

The juvenile is also accused of stealing cash, a Chucky doll and a designer purse from a vehicle, as well as using stolen credit cards to make more than $1,000 in online purchases.

Vehicle windows were broken and steering columns were damaged in each theft.

The juvenile was charged with 18 felonies and is being held at the Tuscaloosa County Juvenile Detention Center, pending a court hearing.

The juvenile faces these charges:

  • Eight counts of first-degree theft (vehicles)

  • Three counts of attempted first-degree theft

  • Five counts of fraudulent use of a credit or debit card

  • One count of unlawful breaking and entering a motor vehicle

  • One count of possession of burglar’s tools

Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Tuscaloosa police charge 12-year-old in string of vehicle thefts