By Kevin Deutsch
The theft of a Lexus sedan in Parkland led to the recovery of three stolen cars by Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives and the arrests of three accused car thieves, authorities said Monday.
The three stolen vehicles were “being returned to their rightful owners” Monday after investigative work by BSO’s Burglary Apprehension Team (B.A.T.) solved the auto theft cases, deputies said.
The detectives’ probe began April 13 when a 2021 Lexus was stolen overnight in Parkland. The evidence led them to Lauderhill, where they spotted the stolen Lexus being driven in the streets alongside two other cars, an Audi and an Infiniti, also believed stolen, deputies said.
Detectives began surveilling the three vehicles. When the driver of the stolen Lexus, a 13-year-old boy, veered away from the other two cars, detectives moved in and arrested him without incident, according to BSO.
A short time later, detectives made a traffic stop at a nearby gas station and arrested the 16-year-old male driver of the stolen Audi. Authorities said the car was stolen from Fort Lauderdale on April 14.
Detectives also arrested the 17-year-old male driver of the Infiniti, which was stolen from Sunrise earlier that week, deputies said. The 17-year-old also attempted to conceal a stolen firearm after entering a nearby store, according to BSO.
Each of the three teens was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle.
Deputies said that the 17-year-old is also charged with grand theft of a firearm, carrying a concealed firearm, and tampering with evidence.
The stolen firearm was left in a store by one of the suspects. {BSO}
The suspects were taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center for processing.
Additional information about the crimes was not made public, including the names of the juvenile suspects.
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