2 juveniles arrested for burglarizing cars of park cleanup volunteers

Vandals targeted volunteers' cars

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando police arrested two juveniles in the car burglaries of volunteers who were helping clean up Eagles Nest Park last month with Commissioner Regina Hill.

The suspects, ages 12 and 13, were charged with vehicle burglary and taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center on Wednesday.

Hill posted on Facebook at the time of the vandalism and included pictures of the broken windows, calling the vandalism sad and shameful, asking anyone who knew the vandals to contact her office.

"We thought this occurence was negative," Hill said. "Maybe we were saving somebody's lives."

Numerous items from phones, watches, money, tablets, and keys were removed from the vehicles after the suspects used a window punch to smash the car windows, according to Orlando Police Department.

Officers say one of the boys had a window punch with him they used to break into the vehicles.

"I'm excited about someone being brought to justice, but now I have another issue," Hill said.

Hill tells News 6 that issue is turning these boys' lives around. Hill says she is getting results by giving them a second chance.

"I have to find these two young boys and make sure that I can be their voice and be an example and tell them it's not too late," Hill said.

Hill says she is doing that through her Youth Advisory Board. It is a group made up of kids who organize events and provide mentoring. The goal is to connect with their peers and keep them away from a life of crime.

"Listen to what they feel will help them reach their success goals and get them to that point to where they'll reach those success goals," member Jaelen Alexander said.

Hill says the two suspects arrested in the car burglaries will join the group.

"I'm excited that they were apprehended cause now I can do some real work," she said.

She adds these are only two boys of many youth who need help. She says it is up to the community to work together to get them on the right path.

"If you can just touch one and somebody else touches another one and somebody else touches another one, you'll see that needle move," Hill said.


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