Auburn Police have three persons in custody and have recovered more than $2,500 worth of stolen items following a rash of overnight vehicle break-ins, residential thefts, and residential burglaries. The crime spree took place between Sunday night [July 29] and Monday morning [July 30].
Auburn Chief of Police Kris Baker said officers arrested 18-year-old Preston Lee of Auburn, a 15-year-old rural Peru male and a 14-year-old Watson, Missouri male.
As of Tuesday and as a result of these arrests, Auburn Police were still in the process of recovering more suspected stolen property from various area locations.
Baker knew of 13 unlocked vehicles and two residences/attached garages which were entered and whose owners had property returned to them. He suspects another 10 vehicles or possibly residences had property taken and police haven’t determined who the rightful owner(s) is/are as of this time.  
Baker said the items taken included electronic navigation devices, cash (including some large amounts), knives, tools, clothing, cigarettes, jewelry and more. The preliminary dollar estimate of items recovered was placed at about $2,500.
“Auburn residents who awoke to find that their vehicle or home was broken into are asked to call police and make a report as it is probable that police have recovered any items stolen,” Chief Baker commented.
Baker said most of the activity appears to have been from the 22nd and O Street area (Calvert Elementary) and then in a north/northeast direction to the 1000 block of H Street (Valley View High-Rise Apartments). Police believe these subjects were also involved in previous thefts as they have recovered stolen property from vehicle entries reported approximately a week prior.
The police chief said every vehicle and residential/garage entered was unlocked as there were no reported signs of forced entry.
The parties were apprehended after an alert citizen noticed something which appeared to be unusual and called the authorities. Police were able to catch the suspects in the act.
Lee’s first court appearance was held Tuesday, July 31, and at which the judge set bond at $2,000. His next appearance in Nemaha County Court will be Wednesday, Aug. 8.  
Chief Baker said Lee is no stranger to authorities as he was sentenced on Nov. 30, 2011, involving a burglary in downtown Auburn. At that time, Lee had been found guilty of Burglary, a Class III Felony; Theft by Unlawful Taking, a Class I Misdemeanor; and False Reporting, a Class I Misdemeanor. At that time Lee was sentenced to two years of Intensive Supervision Probation with Work Ethic Camp.
The two juveniles facing charges will proceed through the Nemaha County Juvenile Court System.