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Police Spend 5 Hours In Freezing Cold Tracking Break-in Suspects

LONGMONT, Colo. (CBS4) - Police say two teenage thieves have been stopped, not "in," but "by' their tracks.

David Williamson
David Williamson (credit; Longmont Police Department)

Investigators followed footsteps in the snow, which they say led to the arrests early Wednesday morning. The teens may be responsible for as few as 15 but as many as 50 break-ins in Longmont. The tracks led police to a home on Meridith Lane.

LONGMONT BREAK INS 5VO(MAP)
(credit: CBS)

Police say there are probably still many victims out there who are just now hearing about the string of thefts and still haven't reported stolen items to officers.

"I was shocked, it's kind of scary, you just take things for granted sometimes, and we just felt violated," said Martina Becerra, who was the victim of car break-in

On Wednesday morning, police let Becerra know that the teens stole cash from the truck parked in her driveway.

Cmdr. Jeff Satur with Longmont police says officers got a tip about a rash of car break-ins just before midnight. They followed footprints in the snow for five hours.

"I mean it was cold last night, and then just 30 neighborhood streets up and down the streets in cold weather," Satur said.

The tracks led them to a northeast Longmont home where David Williamson lives with his mother, who did not want to be identified.

"He doesn't mean to hurt anyone, he really (doesn't). He's a kid who made mistakes and I'm sure he's sorry for it now, if not before," Williamson's mother said.

Police arrested Williamson, 18, and another teen, whose identity won't be released because he is a juvenile. They're accused of stealing more than $1,000 cash, an iPod and other valuables out of unlocked cars.

Even as a victim, Becerra's heart goes out to the two teens

"Have somebody maybe sit down and evaluate why they're doing this, for somebody to step in and counsel them," she said.

Both teens face charges of felony trespassing.

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