Memphis, Tennessee — A Covington Police Department investigation resulted in the arrest of six youths accused of several vehicle burglaries.
According to the CPD, between June 11 and 14, a substantial number of reports were received reporting various automobiles that had been ransacked.
Police said around $4,500 in various things were stolen from the trucks, including seven weapons. The thieves also damaged around $1,800 in damage during the burglaries. Officers began canvassing the communities and received many reports of male suspects entering the residential area and departing in two vehicles, subsequently identified as a blue Chevy Cruz and a gray Nissan Altima.
On June 13, the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office issued a BOLO for a Nissan Altima that was allegedly engaged in an attempted vehicle burglary in Terrytown.
CPD officers found the vehicle in Covington and identified the registered owner. Officers then spoke with the car and residence’s owner, and the TCSO towed the car for forensic processing in connection with the burglary.
According to reports, while checking the area, officers discovered a sack in a dumpster containing two stolen electronic items from the vehicle.
A search warrant was executed at the home, and officers discovered property from the many vehicle burglaries. According to police, other things were recovered in connection with a CPD gang-related incident that occurred near Frazier Park.
During the gang-related incident, a 16-year-old boy was detained and charged with possessing a stolen weapon, carrying a weapon on school grounds, illegal carrying or possession of a weapon, and evading arrest.
Following leads on the suspicious automobiles, CPD Intelligence Analysts were able to identify the owner of the Chevy Cruz as a 16-year-old boy.
Detectives from the CPD and TCSO eventually identified six potential suspects in the auto burglary ring. The suspects were five youths aged 15 to 17 and 18-year-old Broderick Royster, who is currently wanted by the CPD. Detectives are still looking for Broderick Royster, who lives in Shelby County. He is described as 5’8″, 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Royster could possibly be armed. If you have any information about Royster’s whereabouts, call the Covington Police Department at 901-475-1261 or the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office at 901-475-3300.
According to wreg, all of the suspects engaged in the vehicle burglaries are members of the Vice Lord gang. The juveniles were charged with eight charges of vehicle burglary and eight counts of vandalism.
“I thank the VCU (Violent Crime Unit) team, CPD detectives, officers, deputies, and analysts for their swift identification of the suspects in these cases. A critical component of our investigation was our residents who observed something and immediately contacted, resulting in the case being broken.
“It was an example of excellent police work to prioritize the safety of our communities,” Chief Donna Turner said in a statement. “We’ve noticed an increase in gang activity and have been monitoring social media and people known to be involved in criminal activity. The VCU continues to collaborate with bordering counties to prevent violence from occurring in Tipton County.”