Sheriff: Snowy footprints help deputies locate teen suspects

IRMO, SC (WIS) - Three teenagers were arrested and charged with breaking into six cars in Irmo after Lexington County Sheriff's deputies say they followed fresh footprints the trio left in the snow.

Lexington County Sheriff James Metts says deputies picked up two 16-year-olds and a 14-year-old and charged all of them with one count of first-degree burglary and six counts of breaking into a motor vehicle.

Metts said deputies were called to the Coldstream subdivision around 1:49 a.m. Wednesday after a homeowner heard his car alarm go off. When the man went outside to snoop around, he spotted three teenagers leaving the scene, the sheriff said.

The man also found footprints leading from his car to the road, Metts said.

Metts said a deputy soon arrived at the scene and followed the footprints along with the homeowner.

Eventually, the homeowner and the deputy found one of the teens close by, Metts said. The other two teens were caught in a nearby home.

All three have been released into the custody of their parents.