A 14-year-old arrested for an attempted abduction near the South Scranton Intermediate School Monday was recruiting other juveniles to steal cars, according to Scranton police.
The juvenile’s family had just moved here from Ohio, where the youth had a history of stealing cars and recruiting others to join him, police said.
He is charged with theft of a motor vehicle, receiving stolen property, fleeing and eluding and prowling at night.
Scranton police located a silver Hyundai Elantra, with tinted windows, that was reported stolen from 500 block of Cedar Avenue, on Monday afternoon. A male driver with a black face mask was wanted for an attempted abduction on the 500 block of East Elm Street and in front of South Scranton Intermediate School.
Following the abduction attempt, the department ramped up security at all district buildings and asked parents pick up their children at dismissal time, if possible.
Police soon identified a Hyundai Elantra as a stolen vehicle involved in the attempted abduction and were able to obtain a description of the suspect. At about 9 p.m., patrol officers spotted a teenager matching the suspect’s description.
When the police approached the 14-year-old, he fled, but was soon apprehended.
The juvenile initially refused to provide identifying information, but officers were able to determine his identify.
The Scranton Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit interviewed family members, who cooperated with officers.
Police recovered the clothing worn by the suspect and caught on surveillance video.
A juvenile was arrested after attempted abduction Monday. Police released information and clothing seized as evidence. (GIBBONS)
Investigators learned the family recently moved here from Dayton, Ohio, and the suspect had a history of motor vehicle theft. Officers said the youth was attempting to recruit other juveniles to steal cars, as he had done in Ohio.
Police didn’t name the juvenile. He was not enrolled in school at the time of the incident. He being held in a secure facility in Northampton County.
District Attorney Brian Gallagher questioned why the juvenile was not enrolled in school or being overseen by his parents at the time of the incident.
“There is only so much law enforcement, school districts and service providers can do,” he said. “Parents must be accountable. Intervention must start at home.”
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Scranton police.