By Pat Culverhouse

Minden police detectives have arrested juvenile suspects allegedly responsible for a string of vehicle break-ins that included the thefts of firearms, thanks to a video posted on social media.

Chief of Police Jared McIver said two juveniles have been arrested in connection with five vehicle burglaries that occurred between October 3 and 7. One of the juveniles reportedly remains in custody; the other has been released to his parents.

Investigators have recovered one stolen handgun and believe at least one or two more were taken. McIver said items were taken from vehicles at an apartment complex on Lewisville Rd. and in the Tillman Dr., Horton St. and Clay St. area.

Lt. Jason Smith, head of the MPD’s criminal investigation division, said the break-in the case came via social media.

“They posted a video within 24 hours of the thefts showing a group of juveniles pointing firearms. One of those was a unique weapon that we identified as one which had been stolen,” Smith said. “We identified and picked up one of the kids and found the stolen gun at his girlfriend’s house.”

Smith said one of the juveniles taken into custody has a history of gang activity in Minden and is a suspect in several other incidents.

McIver said investigators are continuing to follow leads in the case which could lead to other arrests and possibly the recovery of more stolen firearms.

UPDATE: MPD detectives have arrested more juveniles suspected in a series of vehicle burglaries earlier this month. Watch the Thursday edition of your Webster Parish Journal for details.

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.