By Pat Culverhouse

Four juveniles have been charged with a pair of residential burglaries involving the theft of at least one firearm that occurred within the space of minutes during daylight hours last week.

Minden Chief of Police Jared McIver said officers had responded to a burglary in the 200 block of Clerk St. Thursday, March 28 where a firearm was reported stolen. While officers were at the Clerk St. scene, reports were received of individuals breaking into a residence just a few streets away in the 500 block of Lanning St.

“We were already close, and responded to the Lanning Street call very quickly,” McIver said. “Our officers spotted the suspects running from the rear of the residence and we were able to catch them after a short foot chase.”

McIver said officers recovered a 9MM handgun reported stolen from the Clerk St. residence in an area behind the Lanning St. residence where the juveniles were apprehended. In addition to the handgun, officers also recovered several different caliber magazines of ammunition.

Following interviews, three juveniles were arrested for simple burglary, aggravated burglary and simple criminal damage to property. All three were released to the custody of their parents. The fourth juvenile was cited for the same charges and transported to Ware Youth Center in Coushatta.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.