A pair of Port Charlotte juveniles were arrested after being accused of a string of more than two dozen car burglaries.
Deputies responded to a Port Charlotte home on Monday after a caller stated that their car had been stolen sometime overnight.
Through investigation, deputies were able to determine that the car was seen heading into Punta Gorda around 3:30 a.m. Monday morning, and back into Port Charlotte about three hours later.
According to reports, deputies found the car parked behind a home on Fairhaven Street, a few blocks away from where it had been stolen.
A witness called CCSo and reported that she saw two juveniles, later identified as Elijah Winesett, 16, and Chase Morgret, 16, run away after watching them park the car.
Deputies were able to gather suspect descriptions and locate them shortly after.
During questioning, deputies say Morgret confessed to stealing the car to "hang out" with the Winesett.
Deputies say Morgret confessed to entering other cars in the area and went into detail about several other vehicle burglaries dating back to June. Reports say he also told deputies Winesett was involved in each of the burglaries as well.
CCSO says they have connected the pair to 28 vehicle burglary cases with five involving a stolen car.
Deputies say there are multiple charges in the majority of those cases that are still being tallied at this time.
According to CCSO, firearms were reported stolen from the vehicles in "at least two" cases.
"Everybody did something when they were kids that they wish they could take back. Unfortunately, when that thing happens to be a string of felonies, it can change your life’s path forever. I wish these kids had thought about their actions beforehand, but now that it’s done, they have to face the real consequences of their choices. I hope that this serves as a wakeup call for them, and for any others who would consider doing something like this,” sheriff Bill Prummell said.
Reports say due to the extensive number of charges, to include felonies, the Morgret and Winesett are not eligible for exemption or any pre-trial diversion programs.
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