Neighborhood on alert for juvenile crime spree
Residents in the Country Meadows neighborhood of Yuma, near 12th Street and Avenue B, are working together to protect their community from criminals who are breaking into their cars and attempting to enter their homes.
They have formed somewhat of an impromptu neighborhood watch group after several cars and homes were broken into since the weekend of July 26.
Melissa, a resident whose car was broken into, said, “I actually didn’t know that anyone had broken into our truck until my husband went to leave for work and discover everything had been taken out of his console. His work credentials were stolen and all the change in the glove compartment were stolen.”
The suspects are all teenagers, who were caught on another neighbor’s surveillance cameras.
Ashley, another resident who fell victim to this crime spree, said, “Knowing that they’re young men doing this in the neighborhood and not even caring considering that our truck was parked in the driveway and to have the nerve with my lights on and everything and to come up to my front door it’s scary, it’s disappointing, it’s sad.”
Even still, there’s some concern for the safety of the kids.
Residents said many homeowners in the area own guns and are worried the teens committing the burglaries could get hurt or even shot.
However, the two homeowners News 11 spoke to are not cutting the teens any slack, and expect them to be punished once they’re caught.
Ashley said, “I don’t care how old you are. I feel if you’re going into someone else’s property, taking from them, then taking it a step further to try to access my home, [the teens] definitely should get punishment.”
Melissa added, “If it means juvenile hall, community service, apologizing to the neighborhood, or whatever it means through the judicial court system.”
Both neighbors reached out to the Yuma Police Department (YPD) who confirmed the crimes are under investigation.
YPD urges homeowners to always lock their homes and cars and never leave any valuables inside your vehicle.
Authorities also advise keeping blinds and curtains closed so that valuables in your home aren’t visible.
