By Jim Hannah
The Cincinnati Enquirer

RICHWOOD - The Boone County Sheriff's Department says it has broken up a burglary ring that has stolen thousands of dollars worth of property from more than a dozen victims from across Boone County this summer.

Jeremy Hughes, 18, of Florence is charged with first-degree criminal mischief, receiving stolen property and possession of burglary tools. He was being held at the Boone County jail Thursday night in lieu of a $5,000 bond.

An additional charge of third-degree burglary is pending against Hughes and three juveniles.

The three juveniles live in the general area of the thefts, police said, and are all 16 years old.

Maj. Jack Banks of the sheriff's department said Hughes and the three juveniles are suspected of breaking into cars and burglarizing businesses in Richwood. Banks said the group stood out because of its organization. He said the burglars used two-way radios and lookouts in the commission of the burglaries.

Banks said a break in the case came on Tuesday when deputies responded to calls of people breaking into vehicles in the Mosby's Point Mobile Home Park off U.S. 25 near Richwood in Boone County.

A resident of the trailer park caught Hughes. Banks said Hughes told police the group started breaking into cars and worked their way into the mobile home park. Small items were taken from 15 to 20 unlocked cars during the one-night spree, according to police.

Banks said the arrest of Hughes and subsequent investigation led to police to the three juveniles.

The group, according to Banks, is also believed to have burglarized several businesses during July, including Richwood Powersports and Hollywood Tobacco & Liquor.

E-mail jhannah@equirer.com