Three teens arrested in Woodbury in connection with wave of vehicle thefts

Police in Woodbury say they arrested three teenage children at the weekend in connection with a recent vehicle theft spree in the city.

Woodbury Police, Fire and EMS announced on Facebook the arrests were made Saturday after police were called to attempted thefts of vehicles from garages in the 9100 block of Heritage Way and the 4800 block of Ashton Curve.

The thieves fled when confronted in a white Audi sedan, a stolen vehicle that police say has been linked to several other incidents in the Twin Cities.

The vehicle was found a short time later, with the teens fleeing again before striking a road sign and crashing off the road at Radio Drive and Seasons Parkway.

The trio then fled on foot, but all three were caught. They are all male, two aged 15 and one aged 16, and are being held in Washington County Jail on charges including 1st-degree burglary, theft from a motor vehicle, possession of stolen vehicle, and fleeing police.

Woodbury Public Safety had issued an alert to vehicle owners a week ago after it received 21 reports of vehicle theft in the space of 10 days.

"Woodbury Public Safety is grateful for community members that have kept an eye out and reported suspicious behavior," it said Monday. "On Saturday, residents pointed out the suspects as officers were scouring the neighborhoods and provided invaluable descriptions, digital media and accounts to the suspects’ actions.

"We are not out of the woods yet: While three are in custody, there are still outstanding stolen vehicles, and we believe more suspects are involved.

"It is always important – but more so now – that everyone remove keys from vehicles regardless of where they are parked and that residents close garage doors."

Note: The details provided in this story are based on the police’s latest version of events, and may be subject to change.