NORWICH – The Norwich Police Department apprehended four youths early Thursday morning as they stole a parked vehicle in front of officers who were patrolling the area after a recent string of thefts and burglaries.

Norwich Police Chief Angelino said he had officers in civilian clothes patrolling the area of the third ward in the City of Norwich after the department recently warned citizens to lock their cars and homes. The police are currently investigating a number of burglaries of items stolen from vehicles in the area.

Christopher A. Bonno, 17 of 6394 Town Isle Road, Kirkville and Ismiriz Jackson, 17, of 53 Birdsall St., Norwich, were both charged with fourth degree grand larceny, a felony, after they allegedly stole a 1999 Dodge Durango.

Police also charged a 16-year-old youth in connection to the incident after he was allegedly found trespassing a short distance away on Stanford J. Gibson Elementary School property. He is charged with trespassing, a violation. A fourth individual remains in police custody and has not yet been officially charged.

Angelino said an officer on foot observed the four boys through a thermal imaging device (night vision) as they stole the vehicle and called in patrol cars to assist in the arrest. Similar to several other recent incidents, police said the Durango was unlocked and the keys were inside the vehicle.

Police later picked up the four youths in the City of Norwich shortly after they allegedly ditched the stolen vehicle just outside the city limits around 1:15 a.m.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police also responded and helped to take two of the defendants into custody.

Police have not yet said if the four defendants were connected to any other recent crimes in the city. The investigation is continuing and additional charges may be pending.

“This is the epitome of what the Norwich Police are there for, so people can sleep soundly at night knowing officers are watching their community,” said Angelino. “I am very pleased with the efforts the officers put into this.”

More details will appear in Monday’s Evening Sun.