4 Juveniles Held in Auto Burglaries

Four juveniles, ranging in age from 9 to 14, were arrested Wednesday as suspects in a string of auto burglaries carried out in a residential neighborhood near Burbank Airport, authorities said.

Also arrested was Jose Sergura, 19, of Burbank, who police identified as the brother of one of the youths.

Police officers, acting on a tip from one of the victims, picked up the youths Wednesday afternoon, said Lt. Joe Valento of the Burbank Police Department. They are suspected of breaking into at least eight cars over a monthlong period.

Most of the break-ins took place on North Ontario and Fairveiw streets about one mile east of the airport, Valento said. Describing the thefts as “crimes of opportunity,” Valento said the thieves would take stereo systems and other items of value.

Investigators are also looking into the possibility that the youths may be involved in residential burglaries and perhaps even street robberies, a police officer said.

Valento said the youths appeared unfazed by their detention at a police station and that he considered them too young to be sent to a juvenile detention facility for the alleged thefts. He said they would be turned over to their parents and that the families would receive counseling.

Sergura, however, was detained and booked on one count of suspicion of receiving stolen property.