Juveniles in East Bay Hotel Parking Lot to be Charged

Deputies are requesting charges of retail fraud, minor in possession of alcohol and attempted larceny from a vehicle against two juvenile male suspects caught engaged in suspicious activity early Sunday morning. At approximately 4:40am Sunday, Grand Traverse Sheriff's deputies observed the two juveniles attempting to get into parked vehicles in a hotel parking lot on US-31 in East Bay Township. The boys fled on bicycles when deputies attempted to contact them, and deputies gave chase on foot and were able to catch up with them on the TART trail. One of the suspects was a 14-year-old male from Traverse City and the other was a 12-year-old male from Lake City.

A subsequent investigation led to the discovery of property that had been recently stolen from a nearby gas station. The juveniles were both turned over to their parents. In addition to the charges listed above, deputies are seeking an additional charge of minor in possession of tobacco against the 12-year-old suspect.