Teens Steal $50,000 Worth of Stuff, Try to Sell it to Undercover Cops Via Craigslist, L.A. Sheriff's Investigators Say

'Gone in 60 Seconds'

Ah, this is where, kids, you learn about the criminal called a "fence." He's the middleman who fences the dirty goods for you to shady shops and maybe even the general public.

Unfortunately for a pair of L.A. County teens up to some seriously advanced no good, they were caught selling hot goods they stole themselves, sheriff's officials alleged this week.

Alert deputies from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station Burglary and Fraud team say they found the items of Craigslist (of course):

Authorities allege that the suspects, who were not named because of their ages, were responsible for at least 16 car break-ins in Saugus and Santa Clarita areas in just two months time.

LASD

Part of the alleged haul.

Busy little beavers. According to a sheriff's statement:

Detectives placed a call indicating they wanted to purchase some of the items. One of the unsuspecting subjects met deputies at a local shopping center. Team members moved in to take him into custody after confirming he was in possession of some of the stolen items.

After a 16-year-old was arrested at the buy, investigators headed to a home associated with him that's in the 22800 block of Tamarack Lane in Saugus. Jackpot, they alleged. Lots of stolen stuff was discovered, sheriff's officials say:

View Craigslist Teen Suspects in a larger map

... Video display systems, studio recording equipment, medical supplies and testing kits, electronics, sunglasses, cameras, GPS systems, and even a stolen gun.

Interestingly, if you Google that address, one of the first things that comes up is a Los Angeles Times report of "grand theft auto." Just sayin.'

Then, another kid, 17, was arrested at his just-around-the-corner pad in the 28700 block of Startree Lane in Saugus, deputies said. (Google maps has both places in Santa Clarita; we're no experts on the area so we'll defer to the the sheriff's folks).

All told the stolen goods were worth $50,000, according to deputies.

The 16-year-old was booked on suspicion of felony burglary but was released to his parents. The 17-year-old had been a busy boy: He had a no bail probation warrant and was sent to the slammer on that alone, sheriff's officials said. But deputies also allege felony burglary in his case.

If you have info on these suspects or think that some of the stuff is yours call 661-799-5151.

[@dennisjromero/djromero@laweekly.com/@LAWeeklyNews]