NATCHEZ — Police have arrested three juveniles in connection to a rash of burglaries in the area of Arrowhead Drive over the past several weeks.

Natchez Police Chief Walter Armstrong said three teenage boys were arrested in connection to at least nine vehicle burglaries after reportedly discovering weapons, electronics and various other items in the boys’ possession.

Of the two allegedly stolen weapons, Armstrong said one was a Beretta pistol that had already been reported as stolen. The other, Armstrong said, has not been reported yet.

“We are asking the citizens of Natchez, in particular in and around that area, to check and see if they have a handgun that has been stolen and has not been reported,” Armstrong said.

Armstrong said the officers first received a break in the case early Friday morning through both findings of NPD Lt. Spencer McAllister’s investigative team and intelligence from a Natchez citizen.

Armstrong said officers executed search warrants for two locations tied to the juveniles.

Between the two residences, Armstrong said officers found items including the two firearms, several pellet guns, multiple pocket knives, headsets, speakers and two cells phones all of which police expect was stolen from vehicles.

“These juveniles were interviewed extensively (Friday night) at the Natchez Police Department, and they were forthcoming,” Armstrong said. “They did share very valuable information with us to believe that we have solved approximately nine car burglaries.”

Armstrong said the three teenagers meandered the streets checking to see which vehicles had been left unlocked and pilfering ones that were open.

The arrests, however, do not mark the end of the case.

Armstrong anticipates more arrests as the department continues to investigate more vehicle burglaries.

“We’re not going to leave any stone unturned because we feel like there’s more work to be done,” Armstrong said.

The chief also encouraged parents or other family members to monitor their children.

“If I could give one piece of advice to this community, it would be to family members and loved ones: get control of your kids,” Armstrong said.

On the other hand, he urged residents to take an active approach in self-protection.  He asked everyone to lock their vehicles and residences and to remove valuables from automobiles, especially firearms and other weapons.

“The days of leaving your homes unlocked and your vehicles unlocked are about 40 years in the rear,” Armstrong said. “You can no longer do that, not only in Natchez, but anywhere in the United States.”

The police department will continue to pursue perpetrators of the recent slew of vehicle burglaries, Armstrong said. He said that these individuals are not necessarily all juveniles.

Armstrong also encouraged residents, especially in the area, to contact the police department about any stolen belongings that might have been recovered by the police.