SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A 14-year-old arrested after what was thought to be an abduction incident in Scranton is being accused of trying to recruit other children to steal vehicles.
According to the Scranton Police Department, a 14-year-old is facing charges after he stole a vehicle in Scranton on January 5.
Investigators spoke with the suspect’s family and learned they had just moved to the Scranton area from Dayton, Ohio, where the suspect had a history of vehicle theft.
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Police say evidence suggested that the suspect was attempting to recruit local children to assist in stealing vehicles, “similar to how he was previously recruited by others in Ohio.”
The 14-year-old is also suspected to be involved in other car thefts in the Scranton area, officers report.
The teen is currently not enrolled in school and is being held in a secure facility in Northampton County on various theft charges.
Scranton police noted the investigation remains active.
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