Two boys, ages 12 and 13, were arrested by Long Beach police this week on suspicion of six business burglaries over three weeks in April, authorities said on Friday, May 16.
The boys were released from custody because they are juveniles, police said.
They were among about six suspects accused of shattering glass doors or windows to the businesses, police said. In at least two burglaries, police said, the group drove a stolen vehicle.
Long Beach detectives served search warrants at the homes of the two boys on Monday, May 12. The 13-year-old was arrested that day on suspicion of commercial burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle and vandalism.
The 12-year-old was not home when detectives served the warrant, but turned himself in at Long Beach police headquarters the next day and was arrested on suspicion of commercial burglary and possession of a stolen vehicle, police said.
Detectives were working to identify the other suspects.
The burglaries or attempted burglaries occurred:
- April 6 at Images Nail Salon, 5689 Paramount Blvd.
- April 8 at Pizza Hut, 4558 Atlantic Ave.
- April 12 at an outdoor mall store, 6440 E. Pacific Coast Highway
- April 23 at a store at the mall
- April 26 at Bliss Glass Gallery, 5013 E. Second St.
- April 26 at Sweet Jill’s Bakery, 5001 E. Second St.
Sweet Jill’s Bakery posted surveillance footage on Instagram of burglars in dark hoodies pulled over their heads. The video shows one suspect breaking the glass door and six suspects entering the bakery. Some appear to leave with items, while others went in and out multiple times.
On Friday, the bakery posted an update on Instagram of the two arrests and thanked Long Beach police and community members for supporting the business.