A pair of teens is charged with most, but not all, of the burglaries in a recent string that has unified neighbors.
By JON WILSON
Published April 18, 2004
ST. PETERSBURG - Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with a string of burglaries in the "pink streets" area of Greater Pinellas Point.
The suspects confessed to nine burglaries that took place in residences from January through March, police said.
Charged Monday with several counts of burglary and grand theft were Carlous L. Clark, 17, of 2160 62nd Ter. S, and a 14-year-old who also lives in the Pinellas Point area. The 14-year-old is not being identified because of his age. Clark turns 18 next month. Both are students at Boca Ciega High School, police said.
They are in custody at the Juvenile Detention Center, records show.
Neither are suspects in two other Pinellas Point burglaries in which words were scrawled on walls or kitchen cabinets. The writing included such words as "54th," "Jack Boys" and "Jack Boys 54th." Police are not associating the writing with gang-related activity.
The teenagers also are not suspected in a March 27 attempted robbery.
Detectives found evidence left at some of the scenes that led them to the suspects, said police spokesman George Kajtsa.
Police also found some of the stolen items, including one gun. Other items reported stolen included stereos and DVDs, Kajtsa said.
"Most of (the burglaries) were in the daytime when people were away at work. We tell people in the daytime to be especially alert," Kajtsa said, including vigilance to keep doors locked.
Concern about the burglaries has generated an enthusiastic neighborhood crime watch. About 130 residents turned out for a meeting Tuesday.
Another meeting is at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Police Department's training division, 1301 First Ave. N, in classroom D. Anyone interested is invited, said crime prevention Officer Johnny Harris.
The meeting is primarily for people who would like to be crime watch "block captains," who make sure their nearby neighbors are kept informed of problems and police activity. Home safety and security also will be discussed.
Harris said the initial enthusiasm is encouraging and that he hopes the Wednesday meeting will bring out at least half the number of those who attended last week.
Jackie Taylor, the neighborhood crime watch's central coordinator, said the two arrests aren't likely to diminish the area's renewed vigilance.
"I think people are really fired up now. I don't think they'll let their guard down," Taylor said.
- Times correspondent Andrew Meacham contributed to this report.
