19 kids as young as 9 accused of stealing $1M in cars from NC dealerships

children steal 50 cars in a month FILE PHOTO: A North Carolina police department says a group of 19 teenagers and young children stole nearly 50 cars in a month-long string of dealerships break-ins. (Carl Court/Getty Images)

By Associated Press

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Police in North Carolina have accused a group of teenagers and children as young as 9 of stealing more than $1.1 million in vehicles from car dealerships.

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Winston-Salem police told news outlets that the 19 suspects range in age from 9 to 16 and are accused of stealing nearly 50 cars from dealerships in Winston-Salem and Kernersville since mid-March.

Police said the Forsyth County Department of Juvenile Justice has denied the department’s requests to detain the children, but the investigation remains ongoing.

Police said they have charged one 19-year-old suspect with possession of a stolen motor vehicle in connection with the break-ins.

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