A man and three juveniles were arrested Monday morning in connection with four motor vehicle thefts in Durango.
All four vehicles were stolen early Monday from various locations around Durango, including a bronze 2003 KIA Spectra from Ferringway Circle, a black 2001 Toyota Tundra from the 100 block of Conejo Place, a maroon 2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport from the 2800 block of West Third Avenue, and a 1998 Toyota Camry from the 1200 block of Florida Road.
All four vehicles were left unlocked with the keys inside, said Lt. Ray Shupe, spokesman with the Durango Police Department. All four vehicles have been recovered.
“Basically, they were just joy-riding the cars, and then they were stealing items out of vehicles,” said Lt. Ray Shupe, spokesman for the department. “They didn’t have any major plans to take off and go anywhere.”
With a bit of luck, police arrested all four suspects within hours of the thefts.
The owner of the Toyota Tundra located her vehicle in the Durango Community Recreation Center parking lot and notified police. Officers responded to find it occupied by two boys, 14 and 15, both of Durango. Both were arrested and taken to the Robert E. DeNier Youth Services Center, according to the news release.
Police located the Toyota Camry being driven in the 900 block of East College Drive. Officers attempted to make a traffic stop, but the driver and passenger fled on foot. They were quickly arrested, according to a news release from the police department.
The driver was identified as Brett Pugh, 20, of Durango. He was with a 15-year-old girl, who was taken to DeNier.
Pugh was taken to the La Plata County Jail, where he was being held Monday night on a $10,000 bail.
The KIA spectra was located in the 100 block of Conejo Place with heavy front-end damage.
Police reminded residents to remove their ignition keys and lock their cars.
The Durango Police Department has responded to 31 motor vehicle thefts this year. Eighty percent of the owners of those cars admitted to leaving the vehicle unlocked or key in the car or both, Shupe said. Twenty-two vehicles have been recovered, and nine are still missing.
None of the four suspects arrested Monday is suspected in any of the other thefts.
shane@durangoherald.com
