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Ashland teens arrested in burglary spree By MARK FREEMAN Mail Tribune ASHLAND - Three Ashland High School students allegedly broke into or attempted to break into at least 10 Ashland homes in the past two weeks before their crime spree came to an end with arrests Monday, authorities said. Information provided by one of the victims, plus descriptions police gleaned from door-to-door questioning of residents in a southern section of town, led Ashland police to three suspects, police Sgt. Kirk Cromwell said. The boys, two of whom are 16 and one 15, were arrested Monday afternoon at the Ashland Police Department following interviews. At least one suspect led police to recover most of the stolen property stashed at a house or tossed off a bridge, Cromwell said. The thieves targeted primarily musical instruments and home electronics, and most of the items were recovered, Cromwell said. One 16-year-old boy was taken into custody on eight counts of first-degree burglary, two counts of attempted first-degree burglary and one count of first-degree criminal trespass. The two others were each arrested on five counts of first-degree burglary, two counts of attempted first-degree burglary and one count of first-degree criminal trespass. They were all referred to Jackson County juvenile authorities, then released to their parents Monday, Cromwell said. The three are all Ashland High School students who often worked as a trio, with two of them committing some crimes as a pair and one suspect occasionally on his own, Cromwell said. The burglaries began about two weeks ago, when they entered residences through unlocked doors or windows, Cromwell said. In most cases, the suspects first knocked on doors or rang doorbells before attempting entry, he said. They later graduated to forcing their way into at least one residence, Cromwell said. The stolen items included guitars, DVD players and cam-corders, at least two laptop computers, cameras and a set of binoculars. Some change was taken in one case, police said. Most of the break-ins were in the area around East Main Street and Quincy Street, Cromwell said, with others near Oak Knoll Golf Course and the Quiet Village area. Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 776-4470, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.