Three teens arrested in auto burglaries

Historic City News was alerted that early this morning, three Duval County teenagers were arrested on burglary and other charges according to SJSO Media Relations Officer Kevin Kelshaw.

The three suspects were identified as Matthew Jeremy Copeland, 18, Jeffrey Thomas Wingate, 17, and Trevor Alan Richmond, 16.

Copeland was charged with burglary to a conveyance, possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, criminal mischief and petit theft. He was booked into the County Jail where he remains in lieu of bonds totaling $10,800.

Wingate was charged with burglary to a conveyance and carrying a concealed weapon and Richard was charged with possession of burglary tools and carrying a concealed weapon. The two juveniles were booked and released to a parent.

The investigation began shortly after 1:00 a.m. this morning when a 32-year old woman observed a male subject sitting in her parked vehicle in the driveway of her residence in the 1200 block of Lake Parke Dr. When the victim called for her husband, the subject fled from the vehicle.

While responding to the call, St. Johns County Deputy Bagby observed a vehicle occupied by three male subjects leaving the subdivision. He conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in Bartram Oaks Walk and the three subjects, who were reported “sweating heavily”, denied the car burglary.

The victim was taken to the area and she positively identified the individual she observed inside her vehicle.

During the investigation, deputies located an IPOD inside the suspects’ vehicle that had allegedly been taken from another vehicle in the 1100 block of Lake Parke Dr. The victim of that burglary was contacted and positively identified the IPOD.

Two additional IPODS, a set of brass knuckles and a hammer were located under the seat of the suspects’ vehicle.

Copeland was charged with criminal mischief after he had allegedly spit on the deputy’s computer and keyboard while in the back seat of the patrol car. The investigation is continuing.