By Jim Clark

Police were dispatched to an Ossipee Rd. residence last Friday on reports that a group of juveniles had been spotted dragging a safe into the basement there.

Upon arrival, police questioned the legal guardian of the juvenile that resided at the address. They were reportedly told that the kids were around back of the house in the backyard.

As the officers entered the backyard area, escorted by Juvenile 1 and his guardian, they reportedly observed two others juveniles and one 20-year-old, Christopher Richards, standing in the yard. The officers soon spotted a safe that was placed under the porch, lying on its back.

The officers noted that the door of the safe appeared to be heavily damaged, as if attempts had been made to break into it.

Officers further noticed several tools lying nearby, such as a crowbar, screwdriver, nail, puller, etc., according to reports.

Police also reportedly observed a powdery substance on the walls of the safe that also appeared to be on the clothing of the suspects.

The boys initially refused to remove their hands from their pockets, but they were eventually pat-frisked and then questioned as to what they were up to, police said. The suspects reportedly just looked away and didn’t answer the officers’ questions, according to reports.

Juvenile 1’s guardian, when questioned on the matter, reportedly said that she had heard the sounds of banging coming from the backyard and that at one point juvenile 1 had come into the house and said “something about a safe.”

Officers separately questioned each boy, after advising them of their Miranda rights, and one of them reportedly indicated that the safe might belong to a relative, an aunt.

All four suspects were placed under arrest and charged with breaking into depository, receiving stolen property over $250, and possession of a burglarious instrument.

The safe was taken to the police station where it was eventually opened. It reportedly contained $6,880 in U.S. currency, 2 digital cameras, miscellaneous gold and silver bracelets, rings and earrings, 3 boxes of blank checks, 1 red Nintendo 3DS, personal papers, passports, and a rubber piggy bank full of coins.