An investigation by the Sallisaw Police Department and other area law enforcement agencies into recent auto burglaries in Sallisaw lead to the arrest of several area teenagers.

Sallisaw Police Chief Gary Philpot said that on the morning of Nov. 9 several auto burglaries occurred in Sallisaw in which stereo speakers, car stereos, tools and several other items were taken. Sallisaw Police detectives obtained information on the suspects and possible location of some of the property.

Sallisaw detectives teamed up with Chris Grizzle, Sequoyah County Sheriff's investigator, and Muldrow Police Office Bob Vessell and went to a home at the Southpark Trailer Park in Muldrow where officers found some of the stolen stereo equipment, Philpot said.

Two male juveniles and Justin Jacobs, 18, of Sallisaw were taken into custody for being in possession of the stolen property. While at the home, officers also found several green leafy plants believed to be marijuana growing in containers inside the home.

According to the Sequoyah County Jail in Sallisaw, Jenkins was booked on three counts of second-degree burglary, three counts of knowingly concealing stolen property, possession of marijuana, and paraphernalia. His bond was set at $20,000.

Sallisaw detectives continued their investigation, which led to the arrest of two other suspects, Chris Jenkins, 18, of Gans and John Hood, 18, of Sallisaw. Detectives were able to recover more of the alleged stolen property with the cooperation of the suspects.

Hood was booked into the county jail on charges of second-degree burglary, knowingly concealing stolen property, and larceny from a house. His bond was set at $9,000. Jacobs was booked into the county jail on knowingly concealing stolen property. His bond was set at $3,000.

"Sallisaw detectives report that the suspects admit to having gotten into approximately 20 vehicles in Sallisaw," Philpot said.

He said officers report that they only have six reporting victims at this time. Detectives also report that the suspects stated that the vehicles that they had stolen property from had been left unlocked by the victims, Philpot said.

Detectives advise residents to not leave their vehicles unlocked and to either mark their property for identification or write down the serial numbers on their property for easier identification.