Cops: 18-year-old killed 3 teens

An 18-year-old suspected in several burglaries and robberies in Palm Beach County has been charged in the slayings of three teens.

Joel Rodriguez, who deputies said was caught with two other teens during a burglary Thursday, had a gun that matched the weapon used in the killing of Dalton Dobkins on Nov. 30 in Wellington and the Dec. 10 killings of Elijah Montas Aaron Valle in West Palm Beach, according to authorities.

Rodriguez later confessed to the murders, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. He told investigators he was in the middle of committing a burglary inside Dalton Dobkins’ home in the 2300 block of Stonybrook Drive when he was startled by the 17-year-old and shot him twice, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Rodriguez also admitted he shot Elijah Montas, 17, and Aaron Valle, 18, while robbing them in the 6000 block of Sherwood Glen Way, investigators said.

Detectives knew the murder weapon was a .380 caliber handgun because of evidence left at both crime scenes. Through a forensic comparison, investigators said they determined the same weapon was used in both shootings.

During the investigation, detectives had been able to identify Rodriguez as a posand sible suspect. Investigators were preparing search warrants when Rodriguez was apprehended by police during the Thursday burglary at the Yacht Club apartment complex in Lantana.

During the confrontation with police, Rodriguez allegedly fired at a Lantana police officer. After he and two accomplices were taken into custody, investigators determined the gun used on the officer was the murder