Juveniles, reported as runaways, charged with string of burglaries

Four juveniles, who had been reported as runaways from the Christamore House, were charged with a string of burglaries in Mt. Pleasant.

On Monday, July 29, at approximately 8:49 p.m., four juveniles were reported as runaways from the Christamore House after being gone for 20 minutes. On Tuesday, July 30, a burglary was reported at the Coffee Depot at 420 N Main St in Mt. Pleasant. The four runaways were observed on camera at the scene. Damage was done to the front door and items and money were taken from inside. Officers then spent the morning responding to several other burglary calls in the area, including at a residence and vehicles.

Two of the juveniles were located at Walmart and taken into custody, where one provided a false name.

Later that morning, the other two runaways were seen in a vehicle and eventually located at a residence on East Madison Street in Mt. Pleasant. Those two juveniles ran from officers, but were caught soon after. All were transported back to the Christamore House or a Juvenile Detention Center.

Charges were filed for burglary in the third degree and interference with official acts. The investigations are still pending. The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by the Henry County Sheriff's office, New London Police Department and numerous individuals in the City of Mt. Pleasant.

This investigation was partially a result of concerned citizens assisting by calling in suspicious activity. The Mt. Pleasant Police Department encourages citizens to call in any suspicious activity to their local law enforcement agencies.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.