Two male juveniles have been implicated in the theft of items from vehicles around Mendocino in December, the Sheriff's Office reported Monday.
On the morning of Dec. 12, 2012, the Sheriff's Office received several complaints from residents of Gurley Lane, Wheeler Street, and Calypso Lane that their vehicles had been rummaged through during the night and items had been stolen, the report said. Items ranged from loose change to purses, keys, and a lap top computer.
Some of the vehicles had also been vandalized, apparently by having rocks thrown through the windows.
Deputies took a report, documented the thefts and damage, and began an investigation to identify the suspect(s) and locate the stolen property.
The investigation ended on Jan. 11 with the identification of two males, a 14-year-old from Mendocino and a 12-year-old from Albion, as being responsible for the incidents. Some of the stolen property was recovered, the Sheriff's Office reports.
Additional property that had not been reported stolen, but was believed to have been, was discovered in the suspects' possession. Deputies were then able to identify and contact the owner of the property, who had not realized that it was missing.
The juveniles, along with the investigative reports, have been referred to juvenile probation for possible charging and disposition.