Police say community involvement played a critical role in the arrest of three juveniles linked to a rash of vehicle break-ins across Indianapolis and Fishers.
The suspects — a 16-year-old and two 17-year-olds, all from Indianapolis — were taken into custody early Monday near the intersection of Conner Knoll Parkway and Knolton Court in Fishers. Officers with Fishers Police, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police, and the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force coordinated to move in and arrest the teens, who were driving a stolen vehicle at the time.
Authorities now say the scale of the investigation is extensive. Since the arrests, detectives have executed 11 search warrants — four in Fishers and seven in Indianapolis. They recovered six firearms, including one reported stolen and another modified with a Switch attachment, along with multiple magazines, vehicle theft tools, and other evidence. Two stolen vehicles were also recovered.
Fishers Police reported 50 vehicle break-ins in their city alone. Investigators continue to sift through evidence and will notify victims when their property can be returned.
Officials credited residents for helping crack the case. “The public’s sending videos and reporting the crimes was instrumental in our investigative process,” Fishers Police said in a statement. “Because of their reporting and our officers, along with IMPD and the FBI, we were able to saturate the area and catch the criminals in the act.”
Fishers Police Chief Ed Gebhart said the case underscores the importance of interagency cooperation. “The criminals that would come out and do these crimes in all our communities don’t have borders. Our message today is, neither do we,” Gebhart said.
IMPD Chief Chris Bailey praised the joint effort but questioned parental accountability, asking, “Where were these kids’ parents?”
The investigation remains active, and more charges could follow.
Police continue to urge residents to take precautions: lock vehicles, remove valuables — especially firearms — and call 911 if suspicious activity is observed.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana.