Hudson teens apprehended in car theft spree

The St. Croix County Sheriff's department has taken four teenagers into custody, and referred them to juvenile authorities in connection with a string of car thefts.

Sheriff Dennis Hillstead said Thursday a 14-year-old male, two 15-year-old males and a 16-year-old female were rounded up in the investigation of five stolen cars in the town of Hudson between Sept. 20 and 22.

Most of the thefts took place on Schommer Dr., near the intersection of Hwy 12 and County Rd. A, said Hillstead.

"There was a break-in at RMF Auto Service. The window in the door was broken out and keys were taken from the office for cars in the lot. In one case and ignition was popped out," said the sheriff.

Hillstead said five vehicles were stolen and 13 in all suffered "significant" damage including two school busses vandalized at the Safeway Bus Co. near RMF.

"One vehicle was crashed in Minnesota and there was damage to a bunch of mailboxes," said the Sheriff.

"Most were older vehicles. Several were driven so hard the transmissions were burned up," he said. "And stereos, clothing and other items were stolen from the cars."

The sheriff said the teenagers were all from the Hudson area.

Law officers were able to identify suspects by matching yearbook photos with videos from the buildings where the break-ins occurred.

Tags: news, hudson, auto, theft, juveniles