A Kennewick police officer on routine patrol arrested a teen early Wednesday who's suspected of being connected to numerous car break-ins in the past week.
The 16-year-old boy was spotted around 5 a.m. near a van on Third Avenue near Washington Street, said Sgt. Ken Lattin.
Numerous car stereos with cut wires were seen inside the van, he said.
The teen was arrested and the suspected stolen property was seized. Officers also found drugs and tools used to break into vehicles, he said.
Kennewick police have investigated a significant number of car prowls in residential neighborhoods in the past week, Lattin said.
Investigators will be working to track down more stolen property and link additional suspects to the case, he said.
Anyone who has had their vehicle broken into should report it to police by calling 628-0333.
Police reminded citizens not to leave valuable items in their vehicles and ensure their vehicles are locked to help prevent thefts. The holiday season also is a prime time for thieves to hit cars in store and mall parking lots.
Kennewick police volunteers, CHIPS, have been working since Thanksgiving weekend patrolling retail parking lots to help spot possible car prowlers, police said. Lattin said police have seen very few car prowls or thefts in business parking lots since the department started the extra patrol program.