Crime Born of Boredom : 2 Palmdale Youths Charged in Rampage of Theft, Vandalism

Two Palmdale youths are in custody after they allegedly committed 19 burglaries, were arrested and released, then immediately resumed a theft and vandalism rampage that ended in Bakersfield, authorities said.

The youths, ages 15 and 14, are being held in Sylmar Juvenile Hall after being arrested in a stolen pickup truck in Bakersfield Tuesday night. They allegedly caused $20,000 in property damage and stole goods worth at least $7,000, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective Dan Hunt.

“Basically, they said they were bored and had nothing to do,” Hunt said. He said the suspects, who attend Antelope Valley high schools, have confessed and may have committed additional crimes.

The 19 burglaries occurred on the nights of March 17 and March 22, Hunt said. He said the youths kicked down doors to Palmdale Boulevard offices and stores that they knew did not have alarms.

The youths are accused of stealing computers, televisions, calculators and other electronic equipment. Hunt said that after vandalizing extensive amounts of equipment and furniture, the youths carried the equipment on foot to their nearby homes.

Investigators, acting on leads gained by canvassing the surrounding area, arrested the pair last Friday and found more than $7,000 worth of stolen property in their rooms.

But the youths were released from Sylmar Juvenile Hall into parental custody on the same day because of crowding at the facility and because the crimes were not violent, authorities said.

On Sunday night, the youths allegedly sneaked out of their homes and vandalized several cars, including a trailer truck that was set on fire. They allegedly committed several break-ins and stole the pickup truck in which they drove to Bakersfield.

“They decided they were in trouble and just decided to run,” Hunt said.

Although they allegedly stole $300 on Sunday, the youths had only $6.25 when they were arrested Tuesday, Hunt said. He said they apparently spent the money on gas, food and “just being kids.”