One teen captured prowling with burglary tools

While on routine patrol at about 11:30 p.m. last night, Historic City News learned that St Augustine Police Officer Jeff Truncellito spotted two black male juveniles running across Orange Street from the area of Ann O’Malley’s on Orange Street.

Truncellito gave chase on his marked police mountain bike; approaching the boys as they fled in the direction of the Historic Downtown Parking Facility. The officer was able to catch up to one of the teens.

Truncellito, joined at the scene by Officer Alina Shirshikova, questioned the 14-year-old as to why he was running from the police. The boy stated to the officers that he was “out jogging”, although he was wearing a back pack. When asked what was in the back pack, the juvenile said he had exercise weights.

Officer Truncellito checked the back pack and discovered that it contained a pair of heavy duty bolt cutters. Truncellito detained the teen while Officer Shirshikova searched the area where the boys were first seen. She found a bike, with its lock cut, behind Mojo’s.

The juvenile was arrested for possession of burglary tools, prowling, and resisting arrest without violence. Police notified the Department of Juvenile Justice and the juvenile was transported to the county jail. The second person was not located.