Two 13-Year-Old Juveniles Arrested After West Toledo Business Burglary

TOLEDO, Ohio — Two 13-year-old boys are in police custody following a break-in at a commercial business in West Toledo. The incident, which occurred on February 5, 2024, has drawn attention to a recent uptick in juvenile property crimes in the area.

According to reports from the Toledo Police Department, officers responded to an active commercial alarm at a business situated in the west side of the city. Upon arrival, officers discovered signs of forced entry, indicating that the building had been breached. The suspects had reportedly fled the scene just prior to the arrival of law enforcement, taking several items of value with them.

Rapid Response Leads to Arrests

Utilizing descriptions obtained during the initial response, officers conducted a sweep of the surrounding neighborhood. Within a short period, they located two juveniles matching the suspects' descriptions. Both individuals, identified as 13-year-old males, were detained without further incident.

Following a preliminary field investigation and the recovery of stolen merchandise, both teens were placed under arrest. They face charges of commercial burglary and possession of criminal tools, and their cases have been referred to the Lucas County Juvenile Court. Because of their status as minors, police have withheld their names and any further identifying details.

Impact on Local Businesses

Local business owners have expressed concern over security in West Toledo. The Toledo Police Department is investigating whether these two individuals are linked to other unresolved commercial burglaries in the area. Authorities encourage business operators to verify that their security cameras and alarm systems are fully operational and to report any suspicious late-night activity immediately.