Lower Burrell police nab 5 boys trying to break into cars, say one had stolen gun

Five boys were scoping out cars to break into in Lower Burrell over the weekend, and one of them was carrying a stolen handgun, according to city police.

Another one of the boys had a key fob matching a vehicle that was stolen out of New Kensington, police said.

Police said they were alerted at 11:40 p.m. Sunday that several people dressed in dark clothing were trying to break into vehicles in the 2500 block of the city’s Carl Avenue.

Police located five juvenile boys at Carl Avenue and Reed Street.

Officers said they found a loaded handgun on a 15-year-old boy, along with a second loaded magazine. The handgun was reported stolen from Munhall, according to police.

A 16-year-old boy was found with the key fob that matched a vehicle reported stolen from New Kensington, police said. That incident remains under investigation, police said.

Police would not identify either of those boys or the others with them because they are juveniles. None of the boys are from Lower Burrell, police said.

Lower Burrell police Chief John Marhefka said the 15-year-old faces juvenile charges including illegal gun possession, carrying a firearm without a license and loitering and prowling at night. The teen was taken to Westmoreland County Juvenile Detention.

Police said the boys didn’t steal anything from vehicles in Lower Burrell, though police are continuing to investigate and additional charges could be filed.

“This happens every year,” Marhefka said of car break-ins.

“People need to always lock their cars,” he said, adding that people also should report suspicious activity when they see it in their neighborhood.