Editorials

Juveniles linked to UC crimes

Daily Planet Staff
Thursday April 06, 2000

University of California police have arrested two juveniles in connection with the burglary, and arson of three vehicles in university parking structures on the evening of Feb. 26. 

One of the cars was parked in the University Hall Parking Structure, and two were parked in the Ellsworth Parking Structure, located at Channing Way and Ellsworth Street. 

The juveniles, whose names are withheld because of their age, are Oakland residents, and are both 15 years old. Both suspects have admitted their involvement in the crime, according to UCPD Capt. Bill Cooper. 

The primary motive for the crimes apparently was theft, however, one of the juveniles admitted to setting the cars on fire because he “wanted to see them explode,” according to Cooper. 

Although two of the cars were destroyed by the fires, there was no explosion. The third car suffered moderate damage when the flammable material failed to fully ignite. 

The suspects also admitted responsibility for two additional auto burglaries in University Hall Parking structure on the same day. There was no attempt to burn the vehicles in those cases. 

Detectives identified the suspects by tracking property stolen from one of the vehicles. The juveniles were also stopped by UCPD patrol officers on an unrelated matter in the Ellsworth Parking Structure a week after the arsons. 

UC Police detectives Ken Moody and Chris Bowers conducted the investigation. 

Both suspects have been referred to the juvenile court for prosecution.