Two youths arrested

Two juveniles were arrested and many stolen items were returned to their owners thanks to the persistence of several Pea Ridge Police officers.

Residents from several locations in the southeast area of the city began reporting breaking and entering of vehicles shortly after midnight Monday, March 19.

Upon receiving the fourth breaking and entering report, Police Officer Brian Stamps decided to drive around the area slowly looking for evidence. He found numerous items leaving a trail and then found many items in storm drains along Nemett Drive.

Police Capt. Chris Olson, Sgt. Brandon Davis and Officer Mike Lira joined the search.

In a storm drain, at the corner of Nemett Drive and Schaefer Court, Stamps found a set of vehicle keys and a pair of sunglasses. Stamps pressed the button on the key fob and the alarm sounded on a nearby vehicle. The owner of the vehicle, who was from out of state and visiting a Pea Ridge resident, told police he thought he had lost his keys and had been looking for them all morning.

About 7 p.m., a resident notified police of suspicious activity involving juvenile males and said he had found property not belonging to the youths in their possession. As a result of the investigation, police arrested both a 16- and a 17-year-old male in connection with several counts of felony breaking and entering of vehicles and misdemeanor theft. The investigation is ongoing, according to police.