Cape Coral, FL - Police have arrested three teenagers suspected in a string of car thefts in Southwest Florida.
Authorities say an investigation into the thefts began on May 7th after a resident on NW 18th Place reported their car stolen the previous night.
Ring doorbell footage captured the vehicle being driven away around 10:40 p.m.
Deputies later located a stolen red Ford Mustang abandoned with the engine running and damage consistent with hitting mailboxes.
Additionally, a Michael Kors backpack containing over $1,500 worth of belongings was stolen from another unlocked vehicle at the same residence.
Authorities received reports of similar incidents involving unlocked vehicles throughout the area.
A silver SUV was identified as a potential common denominator in these cases.
A breakthrough came on May 8th when a stolen vehicle was recovered on NW 8th Terrace.
Items found inside, including the stolen Michael Kors backpack, did not belong to the car's owner.
The investigation took a decisive turn when a school resource officer was approached by a student who confessed to participating in the thefts with friends on May 6th.
Social media evidence corroborated this confession, as deputies discovered Instagram videos posted by the suspects themselves, documenting their activity inside a stolen car.
The three juveniles, identified as Elijah Bowman (13), Cesar Pena Jr. (14), and Hunter Volovlek (13), were apprehended.
Bowman faces the most serious charges, including two counts of grand theft auto, six counts of burglary, and leaving the scene of a crash.
Pena Jr. and Volovlek each face a charge of grand theft auto and six counts of burglary.