Eight Philadelphia juveniles are accused of participating in an overnight crime spree in Bensalem that included breaking into a popular chain coffee shop.
Police responded Sept. 2 shortly before 3:30 a.m. to a report of a burglary in progress at the Starbucks in the 3600 block of Horizon Boulevard.
When officers arrived they found a drive-thru window smashed and cash registers tampered with, according to a post on Crimewatch.
Three boys were detained in the nearby Walmart parking lot and police recovered Starbucks merchandise. Five more boys seen running from the area were detained with assistance from Upper Southampton police.
An investigation determined all eight were involved in the Starbucks burglary as well as multiple confirmed thefts from
vehicles in a nearby neighborhood, police said.
The juveniles were released to their parents or guardians pending further investigation involving additional attempted thefts in the Neshaminy Square Shopping Center in the 4000 block of Neshaminy Boulevard and nearby residential developments, police said.
The defendants will be charged with burglary, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking, theft from motor vehicle, receiving stolen property, conspiracy and loitering and prowling at night.
It was not immediately known if the suspects will be charged as adults or juveniles.
The police investigation is ongoing and business owners with video surveillance are asked to review footage from overnight Sept. 2 and contact Bensalem police with any relevant footage. Residents who had their vehicle broken into or have home surveillance system footage are also asked to contact Bensalem Detective Shawn Smith at 215- 633-3687.
Crime and Courts Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at jciavaglia@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bensalem police apprehend eight teens in overnight crime spree
