By DAVE HINTON
Rantoul Press editor

Rantoul police took four juveniles into custody and are investigating whether they are the ones involved in a rash of reports of damage and break-ins to vehicles in the Golfview Drive area on the village’s southeast side.

Sgt. Marcus Beach said three of the juveniles were placed in custody Sunday night and a fourth Monday.

They allegedly broke a windshield out of a car and entered three vehicles in the 600 block of Golf Course Road.

Beach said one of the youths was transported to the Champaign County juvenile detention center. The other three were released, pending juvenile petitions from the state’s attorney’s office.

The youths were apprehended when two officers who were on foot patrol in the area were alerted to a group of juveniles who were damaging property.

Beach said a lengthy foot chase ensued that included “nearly 30 minutes of jumping fences and sprinting,” which resulted in three of the youths being detained.

“We are continuing to investigate the damage that was done last week. Certainly the damage done last night was very similar, and we’re continuing to follow up on this case,” Beach said.

Beach said last week that the police department had received about 15 calls of vehicle windows being broken and vehicle burglaries Dec. 10.

The cases occurred between 5 and 7 p.m. in the 600 block of St. Andrews Circle, the 700 block of Willow Pond Road and the 600 block of Golf Course Road.

Beach said multiple vehicles had windows broken and glove compartment and center consoles rifled through.

He said nothing of great value was taken in any of the incidents because the owners had not left any valuables in the vehicles. In many cases, only spare change was taken.

The thief or thieves broke one window in each vehicle to gain entry. Beach estimated total damage at $1,500. All of the vehicles were parked on the street.

Beach said police have been “saturating the patrols in that area to discourage any possible theft.”

dhinton@rantoulpress.com