Teens arrested for Palmer burglaries

PALMER -- Boys ages 13 and 17 have been charged in connection with a rash of burglaries at Palmer businesses.

Palmer police officers Kelly Turney and Peter Steen made the arrests Sunday after a tip from a citizen. Each youth was charged with six felonies and nine misdemeanors, including burglary, theft and criminal mischief.

Between $1,000 and $2,000 in cash was taken, Turney said, adding there was significant damage to businesses' windows, door locks and cash boxes. The juveniles were remanded to Mat-Su Youth Facility on Outer Springer Loop Road, police said.

The crimes occurred from Jan. 14 to Jan. 24. Burglaries in Palmer were reported by Purple Moose Espresso, Expressions coffee shop, Laundry Depot, and Profiles of Excellence Pre-School and Child Care. Awesome Auto of Palmer experienced an attempted break-in. In addition, Alaska State Troopers investigated a related burglary at Cool Beans Espresso just outside the city limits.

The burglaries occurred between midnight and 6 a.m., Turney said, and followed a similar pattern. Both boys admitted involvement, he said.

"Initially the older juvenile stalled but we explained the situation to him," Turney said.

The youths were taken into custody at a residence where they were staying. Police said parents of the two boys were "very supportive" and had no knowledge of their children's activities.

The older boy didn't recruit or force the younger one to take part, according to Turney. "They were equal partners in this."

Police took the sudden surge of burglaries as a challenge.

"All the guys have been working extra hard to crack this, from the chief on down," Turney said. "It's upsetting to the community, and a lot of guys took this personally that it happened on their watch."

Steen gave much of the credit to Turney, saying he built a particularly strong rapport with a parent who ended up providing good information. Palmer police investigator Lee Reeves also played a key role, Steen said.

However, he emphasized that few things are as vital to solving crimes as a vigilant public.

"Ninety percent of our good leads come from citizens," Steen said.