8 Facing Multiple Felony Charges

Eight people, ranging in ages from 16 to 20, will soon be facing multiple felony charges including a charge of engaging in organized criminal activity, following a rash of burglaries in Van.

"We had twelve cases of burglary of a motor vehicle, and one burglary of a habitation. This group was also responsible for the theft of a $3,000 projector at Van High School during the last school year," said Van Police Chief Kelly Smith.

Smith said that during the night of August 20 and the early morning of August 21 several cars were broken into in the area of Washington, East Pennsylvania and Briarwood Streets.

"We went house to house in order to identify victims and see who had property missing from vehicles," said Smith.

Smith said multiple items were taken from the vehicles including a DVD player, movies, credit cards and cash. A DVD player and 42" plasma TV were taken in the burglary of a habitation.

"Most of the vehicles were unlocked. The suspects just opened the doors and got in," said Smith.

"We still have property at the police department that needs to be identified. Anyone in these areas who has property missing and has not filed a report or spoken to an officersneeds to do so," said Smith.

Smith said that all suspects have been identified and officers are in the process of obtaining arrest warrants.

"This whole investigation was started after we received a tip from a citizen which led to the identification of the suspects," said Smith.

Smith said that this is a perfect example of why the Neighborhood Watch group needs to continue to meet and share information.

"Information that someone may think is insignificant could be what we need to tie a case altogether," said Smith.

Smith said that Van has always been a community where people feel comfortable in leaving their doors and vehicles unlocked.

"This department strives to keep the crime rate down to where people feel comfortable in their homes and in leaving their vehicles unlocked. Yet in many cases you can avoid becoming a victim in these isolated instances by locking vehicle doors and keeping doors and windows to your home locked," said Smith.

"The partnership between this department and the community is paramount in suppressing criminal activity," said Smith.

Smith said that in addition to the organized crime charge, members of the group will also face charges of burglary of a motor vehicle, burglary of a habitation, credit card abuse, tampering with physical evidence, possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.