URGENT UPDATE: Four teenage boys from Grand Forks, aged 13 and 14, are currently in custody following a series of car thefts that has alarmed the community. The arrests occurred just after 8:30 PM on November 12, 1958, when two boys turned themselves into the Grand Forks police station amid an ongoing investigation into car thefts involving multiple juveniles.
According to Duane Johnson, a juvenile officer, these boys are part of a larger group of 13 teenagers implicated in stealing cars. The police report indicates that the boys confessed to taking at least four vehicles since the previous Monday, often targeting cars with keys left inside. They typically joyrode for about 15 minutes before abandoning the vehicles.
The situation escalated when two other boys, aged 13 and 14, were found involved in a car accident approximately 10 miles east of East Grand Forks. These boys were apprehended after a stolen vehicle they were driving overturned. Witness Jack St. Lawrence, whose 1956 model car was reported stolen earlier that day, played a critical role in their capture. St. Lawrence, along with local farmers, chased down the fleeing youths after they abandoned the wreck.
As the community grapples with this alarming trend of juvenile car theft, authorities stress the importance of securing vehicles and educating young individuals about the consequences of such actions. The boys had previously been released to their parents’ custody while awaiting juvenile court proceedings.
This developing story highlights a growing concern about youth delinquency and its impact on local safety. As authorities continue their investigation, residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.
Stay tuned for further updates as more details emerge regarding this troubling incident in Grand Forks.
