RICHLAND -- Four teenagers were arrested after Richland officers found a cache of stolen property hidden in the desert outside of West Richland, police said.
The suspects have claimed responsibility for 45 of the 202 vehicle prowls reported to Richland police since July 1, but investigators still are trying to determine which ones, said Capt. Mike Cobb.
Police recovered a stolen .22-caliber rifle, .12-gauge shotgun and six backpacks filled with iPods, sunglasses, phone charges, cameras, flashlights, earphones, an e-reader and other personal property stolen from cars in Richland and west Kennewick, Cobb said.
Scales, marijuana, some prescription medication and $943 in cash have also been seized.
"We've got an evidence room full of stuff," Cobb told the Herald.
The arrests came after a backpack containing a gun, drugs and an Oregon State Police citation issued to Aaron Brown was found in the 100 block of Rosemary Street, Cobb said.
The owner of the stolen gun lives in south Richland and had been a victim of a car prowl, he said.
The backpack was turned over to a homeowner's association member, who contacted Richland's crime prevention officer, Cobb said. The HOA member had been working with the crime prevention officer about neighborhood watch groups.
The information was then passed on to members of the department's Street Crimes Unit, who then tracked down the suspects and found the six backpacks in the desert.
It all happened within about an hour, Cobb said, adding that "this is exactly what (the SCU) is meant to handle."
The unit used to be called the Proactive Anti-Crime Unit, but its focus and emphasis was shifted recently, Cobb said.
Police have searched three vehicles connected to the suspects and recovered stolen property during each search. Additional search warrants are still in the works, he said.
Investigators expect to recover more stolen property and will be working to identify the owners.
Brown, 18, of Richland, and Devin Sakach, 19, of West Richland, were booked into the Benton County jail on suspicion of possessing a stolen firearm and stolen property and vehicle prowling.
Hunter Johnson, 19, of Richland, and a 17-year-old West Richland boy were also jailed on suspicion of possessing a stolen property.
Johnson was also arrested on suspicion of vehicle prowling.
