Eilat authorities suspect youths in property-theft ring

Detained youth says group of minors aged 8-11 planned to break into various locations to retrieve property such as cell phones, lap tops, credit cards.

By YASSER OKBI
Property seized by police in Eilat. (photo credit: EITAN LESSING)
Property seized by police in Eilat.
(photo credit: EITAN LESSING)
Authorities in Eilat this week suspected a number of youths between the ages of eight and 11 of involvement in a property-theft ring.
One youth was seized by authorities in the Red Sea resort town on Monday from his parent's house, where quantities of property from various suspected break-ins were found.
Municipal welfare services were handling the youth's case due to his age.
Police officers from the juvenile crimes unit conducted sweeps of the home of another suspected youth. Authorities located various pieces of suspected stolen property at the site, including cell phones, a lap top computer and credit cards.
The youth was brought in for police questioning along with one of his parents. During investigations, the boy told authorities that a group of about six youths, all under the age of 12, had carried out the acts.
According to the boy, the group broke into various locations to retrieve property from inside. The ten-year-old leader of the group then divided the property between all of the pack's members, the boy said.
 
Various members of the group were known to Eilat's juvenile crimes unit for other incidents.
So far, investigations have not brought police to believe that the group was operating in an organized manner of committing property crimes.
"Exposing the behavior of one of those involved may undoubtedly demonstrate that a red line was crossed, but the minors involved have not yet reached the age of criminal responsibility," said youth officier Lilah Atiya.