Unemployed Teens Tell Police They Stole Wiring to Pay Car Insurance

Teens in search of cash are accused of doing serious damage to a half dozen RV owners.

The teens were arrested for stealing cords for the copper wires inside. And the  teens tell cops they did it to pay for gas and car insurance.

Port St. Lucie Police say Michael Veronia an 18 year-old from Fort Pierce and 19-year-old Anthony Tenhoeve were caught in the act slicing power cords, with more cords found by police in their hatchback.

The teens told police they did it for the valuable copper wiring found inside.

Police know of 5 victims with sliced power cords in the southeastern part of the city, but admit there could be more.

The two admitted to police when interviewed, between 1 a.m. and 2:15 a.m. Tuesday, they cut the power cords from RV's parked in homeowner's driveways. Police say the teens hit RV's on Schleicher Lane, Croquet Street, Seahouse Drive and Polynesian Avenue in Port St. Lucie.

One victim, Joseph Floria on Southeast Croquet Street, said the damage to his RV was done in seconds, but it will take at least $300 to replace the cord.

"I think they realize the difference between right and wrong here, but they are making bad choices right now," said Joseph Floria who had his RV vandalized, "I wouldn't only give them a slap on the wrist, I would garnish their future income so they realize there's a price to the community and the individual when they do this."

As for paying the RV owners back, both of the teens are unemployed and both face felony grand theft charges.

Police say they are acting quick on these types of damaging thefts in light of a weak economy and soaring gas prices. Police Chief John Skinner said he only expects to see more of this type of criminal activity throughout the summer.