6 teens arrested in ‘gang-related’ vehicle burglary ring
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Covington Police Department investigation led to the arrest of six teenagers allegedly responsible for multiple vehicle burglaries.
According to the CPD, between June 11-14, a large amount of calls were coming in regarding multiple vehicles that had been ransacked.
Police say approximately $4,500 of various items were stolen from the vehicles, including seven firearms. The suspects also caused around $1,800 in damage during the burglaries.
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Officers began canvassing the communities and received multiple reports of the male suspects entering the residential area and fleeing in two vehicles — later determined to be a blue Chevy Cruz and a gray Nissan Altima.
On June 13, a BOLO was issued by the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office for a Nissan Altima that was said to have been involved in an attempted vehicle burglary in Terrytown.
CPD officers located the vehicle in Covington and identified the registered owner. Officers then spoke with the owner of the car and residence, and the car was towed by the TCSO for forensic processing related to the burglary.
Reports say that while searching the area, officers also located a backpack in a dumpster, which contained two electronic devices that were stolen during the vehicle burglary.
A search warrant was executed on the home, where officers found property from the numerous vehicle burglaries. Other items were also recovered regarding a CPD gang-related incident that occurred in the area of Frazier Park, police say.
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During the gang-related incident, a 16-year-old boy was arrested and charged with possession of a stolen weapon, carrying a weapon on school property, unlawful carrying or possession of a weapon, and evading arrest.
After running leads on the suspect vehicles, Intelligence Analysists with the CPD were able to identify the owner of the Chevy Cruz as a 16-year-old boy.
Detectives with the CPD and TCSO were eventually able to identify six possible suspects in the vehicle burglary ring. The suspects included five juveniles ranging from 15 to 17 years old, and 18-year-old Broderick Royster, who is currently wanted by the CPD.
Detectives are still searching for Broderick Royster, who lives in Shelby County. He is described as 5-foot-8, 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Royster could potentially be armed. If you have any information regarding Royster’s whereabouts, contact the Covington Police Department at 901-475-1261 or the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office at 901-475-3300.
According to police, all of the suspects involved in the vehicle burglaries are affiliated with the Vice Lord gang. Each of the juveniles were charged with eight counts of burglary of a motor vehicle and eight counts of vandalism.
“I commend the quick efforts of the VCU (Violent Crime Unit) team, CPD detectives, officers, deputies, and analysts who quickly identified the suspects in these cases. A huge piece of this investigation was our citizens who saw something and immediately called resulting breaking the case. It was an example of great police work to focus on the safety of our communities,” Chief Donna Turner said in a statement. “We have seen an uptick in gang activity and have been monitoring social media and those known to be involved in their criminal activity. The VCU continues to work with surrounding counties to proactively reduce violence before it occurs in Tipton County.”
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