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AUGUSTA, Ga. ()- In a recent advisory, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has urged locals to take extra precautions to secure their vehicles.
Authorities detained two juveniles, aged 13 and 14, on Thursday night after they allegedly used everyday objects to force open car doors and windows.
Investigators are noting an uptick in such incidents, indicating it’s becoming a frequent concern.
“This issue has been widespread for quite some time, and we’ve been tackling it from the start. We’ve now established a task force, spearheaded by our gang unit,” explained Colonel Bo Johnson.
The incident on Thursday evening occurred around 8 PM in the Damascus Road vicinity, close to the Archer Green Apartments.
After diving deeper, investigators found that the same two teens in question were involved in several other reported break ins over the past 2 months around Walton Way, Wrightsboro Road, and Highland Avenue.
“These two individuals were juveniles. One of the juveniles had a firearm on them, and that firearm had been stolen previously in another break-in,” Johnson said.
Since the start of 2026, The Sheriff’s Office has responded to more than 100 vehicle break-ins— a 176% increase from 2025.
But, investigators found that 93 percent of the vehicles involved were left unlocked.
They’re now working with several agencies to share information about the incidents.
That includes the Grovetown Police Department, who we recently talked to after they had the same problem.
“We had somebody say if he locked his car they would just bust the window and I’d have to pay for that. What I say to that is: when you leave your house, don’t lock your front door, because they’re going to kick your door in,” said Chief Jamey Kitchens.
“This is simply a crime of opportunity, and if you give a criminal an opportunity, they’re going to take advantage of it—and that’s what’s happening. It takes a quick second just to lock your doors and set your alarm when you walk away from it. Everything you can do to slow someone down from breaking into your vehicle (or into your home for that matter) is what you need to do,” Johnson said.
Colonel Johnson says on top of locking your cars, parent involvement is the other key part of prevention.
“Monitor what they’re doing. Know where they are at all times. There’s nothing wrong with that, and that’s your job as a parent,” he added.
Sheriff Brantley has put together a task force to handle break-ins, and they have increased patrol units in problem areas.
As for the two teens, they’re facing multiple charges and have been taken to the Regional Youth Detention Center.
The Sheriff’s Office cannot confirm these break-ins are gang-related, but the investigation is ongoing, and more charges and arrests are expected.