KENT COUNTY (WWJ) - A total of 16 charges have been filed against six West Michigan teenagers that police say committed a crime spree that encompassed stolen vehicles, credit cards, armed robbery, police pursuits and more.
The Kent County Sheriff's Office said they arrested the teens, five males and one female, on Wednesday afternoon with help from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety. The suspects ranged in age from 15 to 17.
According to officials, the arrests came after a lengthy investigation into a string of violent crimes that involved stolen weapons, cars, credit cards, armed robbery and police chases.
Officers were able to apprehended the suspects when a Jeep that was reported stolen out of Solon Township was spotted at a hotel in the 58000 block of Clyde Park Ave. on Wednesday, May 24.
Investigators were able to find where several suspects were staying. Five teens were walking from the hotel to the Jeep when police moved in, causing the suspects to scatter.
After a short foot chase, police were able to bring all five suspects into custody.
"After a search warrant was conducted of the hotel room, an additional suspect and stolen pistol were found," the sheriff's office said in a prepared statement. "Another stolen pistol was found in the Jeep."
A total of sixteen charges was submitted by investigators for review by the Kent County prosecutor's review.
In addition to the string of crimes they are accused with, KCSO detectives also believe the same group of teens are behind a number of other stolen car complaints, fitness center thefts and was likely involved in a police pursuit with deputies on May 23rd, 2023 among others.
Deputies are working with other local law enforcement agencies to potentially link the teens to cases in other jurisdictions. .