Teenage siblings suspects in crime spree

FOLEY, Ala. (WALA) - Elberta and Foley police said two teenage siblings were arrested after going on a bizarre crime spree early Monday morning, March 11.

The spree began after authorities said the brother and sister duo, who are only 13 and 14 years old, ran away from home. Police said their mother confiscated their cell phones as punishment.

“We got a call at about 5 o'clock Monday morning of a pair of runaway brother and sister; 14 and 13,” said Elberta Police Chief Stanley DeVane. “Sgt. Scott Tart went to that address and started working the report.”

Police said in just six hours, the siblings stole a vehicle before driving it to another location where they stole a second car.

Police said an investigation revealed the two also broke into Saint Benedict Catholic School in Elberta where they proceeded to damage property, steal electronics and even smaller items like candles and crosses.

Authorities said, to make matters worse, the teens spread human waste throughout the school. 

“One of the individuals had defecated on top of the desk and in a chair and then wiped it over the computer,” said Chief DeVane. “There were some crosses with Jesus on the walls and they had wiped it on those crosses. They rummaged through the desks and scattered stuff on the floor.”

Investigators claim the pair also killed a class pet tarantula and placed it in a pencil box before fleeing the scene.

According to authorities, neither teen is connected to the school and are said to be home-schooled.

Police estimate the siblings racked up nearly $10,000 in damage or stolen property at St. Benedict Catholic School alone.

The pair was caught and arrested at around 6 a.m. Monday after a Foley police officer noticed the two young teens within city limits.

Investigators said the pair was acting ‘belligerent’ and the 14-year old male was in possession of a stolen handgun and marijuana. 

Investigators said items found in their home also revealed that both were involved in more than a dozen car burglaries throughout Foley and Elberta over the last couple of months.

The siblings are facing seven felonies from the Elberta Police Department alone. Foley also has numerous pending charges.

Both remain in a juvenile detention facility.