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Teen arrested following pursuit could be tied to Cumberland break-ins

A badge for the Cumberland Police Department. (WISH Photo)

CUMBERLAND, Ind. (WISH) – Police in Cumberland believe a teenager arrested following a Friday morning vehicle pursuit could be connected to a series of break-ins over the past weeks in the area.

On Friday morning, police noticed a suspicious vehicle near East 21st Street and North Cumberland Road in the Valley Brook Village subdivision around 1:30 a.m.

When police attempted to stop the car the driver took off. The pursuit lasted for about a mile before officers were able stop the car. The driver was a 15-year-old. The passenger of the vehicle was able to get away from police.

Inside the car police found items that could be linked to recent break-ins in the Cumberland area. Police were awaiting a warrant to search the vehicle.

Some break-in victims were glad to hear an arrest was made. “I have a 16-year-old myself, so it’s very disappointing to know that there’s someone’s child out there that doesn’t have anything better to do at night than ride around and break into someone’s car,” Tara Smith said.

“I think it’s a good thing to know that there’s somebody not breaking into cars anymore because I don’t know if it could’ve escalated into homes,” Stacy Patlan said.

A description of the passenger who got away was not clear.

Officers said in Cumberland, Hancock County and the far east side of Indianapolis, there have been more than 30 car break-ins over the past few weeks.

Fifteen break-ins took place in Hancock County Thursday. One of the victims is an Indiana State Trooper, who had a personal gun stolen from an unmarked ISP truck.

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