3 teens nabbed in break-ins; 4th sought

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Three teens are in custody, and a fourth sought, after police caught them stealing electronic equipment from a home in a tony area of Grand Rapids.

Police believe these break-ins are part of nine total over the past two days. Thursday's break-ins took place in the West Village subdivision near the corner of Ada Drive and Spaulding Avenue. The others were in Cascade Township, East Grand Rapids and Kentwood.

A spokesperson for the Kent County Sheriff's Department told 24 Hour News 8 the thieves would knock on the front door of a house. If someone answered, they asked a question, then left. If no one answered, they would walk around the back, kick in the door, and rob the home.

But a suspicious homeowner called police, who sent several cars to the area. A second homeowner was also suspicious, and told police about a white van parked in his neighbor's driveway, a van that did not belong to the neighbor.

As the patrol cars approached, four young men ran out the back door and refused to stop. Three of the four people were caught after a short chase.

Police also recovered a Dodge Caravan they were using in the crimes. That van was stolen in Grand Rapids about a week ago.

It's believed the teens, all between 15-18, robbed four houses in the Ada Drive-Spaulding Avenue area.

Police know who the fourth suspect is, and are working to bring him in. All are from Grand Rapids.