By Pat Culverhouse

A juvenile arrested a little more than two weeks ago is in hot water with police again for the same offense, another series of alleged vehicle burglaries in Minden neighborhoods.

Chief of Police Jared McIver said the juvenile was taken into custody Thursday after MPD detectives identified him as a suspect in seven vehicle burglaries in the Constable St. area. He reportedly is being held on a  $25,000 bond.

McIver said the suspect is 17 years old and cannot be incarcerated with adults. He will most likely be released to the custody of his parents or guardian, the chief said.

Det. Lt. Jason Smith, head of the MPD criminal investigation division, said the suspect was one of a group that was arrested earlier this month for vehicle burglaries in the Lewisville Rd., Tillman Dr. And Horton St. areas. The teens were identified after displaying firearms, including which were reported stolen, on a social media video.

“This juvenile has been arrested seven times in the past and is a suspect in at least 28 separate incidents since 2021,” Smith said. “We know he has gang affiliations, and we believe he steals firearms and sells them out of town very quickly.”

Smith said mostly money and wallets were taken in the latest series of vehicle break-ins.

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.