Three teenagers are facing charges after a liquor store break-in early Thursday morning.
Just before 4 a.m., Lincoln Police saw that the front glass to the Castle Liquor store at 6001 Havelock Ave was broken. Officers had already been in the area earlier in the evening and believed the damage likely occurred between 3 a.m. and 340 a.m. Officers searched the area and requested video evidence from the store and investigated the scene.
At 2 a.m., neighbors in the 100 block of Sante Fe Trail reported a hit-and-run. They saw a grey GMC Yukon to have backed out of a driveway striking a car parked in the street. Police contacted the owners of the Yukon were contacted they also discovered their teenage daughter was missing.
The vehicle was later found by the owner at the gas station at 2302 Cornhusker Hwy at 4 a.m. When he approached the vehicle several juveniles ran. The victim recognized several of the juveniles. When officers arrived they saw several alcohol bottles, cigars, and a realistic-looking BB gun in the vehicle. The owner of Castle Liquor identified that these were the items stolen from his store moments earlier.
Officers were then sent to the area of 14th and Knox as the other victim of the auto theft located some of the juveniles who fled. Two females, 13 years old and 14 years old, were referred for Theft by Unlawful taking for taking the vehicle valued at $4,500, as well, as Accessory to a Felony for their role in the burglary. One male, 13 years old, was referred for Burglary at Castle Liquor and one male, 14 years old, was referred for Burglary and Theft by Receiving for being in possession of the stolen vehicle. The total theft loss from Castle Liquor was just over $200 with damage around $350.
The search for a fifth suspect continues.