Five Teens Arrested, 190 Charges Filed in Columbus Auto Break-In and Vehicle Theft Investigation

COLUMBUS, Ga. – Five suspects, including four juveniles, have been arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins and stolen vehicle investigations that affected dozens of victims across Columbus over the past month, according to the Columbus Police Department.

The department’s Property Crimes Unit said the investigation cleared six separate cases involving 72 vehicles and resulted in a total of 190 criminal charges.

Those arrested include a 17-year-old identified as Takarius Lovejoy and four juveniles, ages 14, 15, 15 and 16.

Police said the 15-year-old juvenile and Lovejoy each face 34 counts of Entering Auto, along with 11 counts of Criminal Damage to Property, 10 counts of Criminal Trespass, one felony count of Theft by Taking and six misdemeanor counts of Theft by Taking.

A 14-year-old juvenile also faces the same charges: 34 counts of Entering Auto, 11 counts of Criminal Damage to Property, 10 counts of Criminal Trespass, one felony count of Theft by Taking and six misdemeanor counts of Theft by Taking.

Another 15-year-old juvenile was charged with Theft by Taking of a Motor Vehicle.

A 16-year-old juvenile was charged with Theft by Taking of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of a Pistol by a Person Under 18 and Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, a felony.

The Columbus Police Department said the arrests were the result of a coordinated effort involving the Property Crimes Unit, Special Operations Unit and Strategic Anti-Violence (SAS) Unit. Officials also thanked the Muscogee County Juvenile Court for its continued support during the investigation.

Police did not release additional details about the incidents or identify the juvenile suspects because of their ages.