VALDOSTA — Valdosta police arrested a young adult and a teenage juvenile after being alerted to an attempted break-in at a bank.

About 9:45 p.m. Thursday, police officers responded to First Federal Savings and Loans, in the 400 block of North Patterson Street, after an observant citizen called E911 to report two males attempting to break into the business. The caller gave the 911 dispatcher a detailed description of the suspects and said they were seen running north from the bank, police said in a press release late on Friday.  

When officers arrived at the bank, they saw the front door shattered. An officer observed two males attempting to flee from the area.

A 22-year-old Valdosta man was immediately apprehended, police said. A 15-year-old continued to run but other officers arrived in the area and quickly arrested him.

“Through surveillance video obtained from the area, both subjects were positively identified as the ones who broke into the bank,” police said. “Officers canvassed the area where they first encountered the offenders, and they found evidence connecting the offenders to the burglary. Property belonging to the bank was recovered.”

Both suspects have been charged with burglary in the second degree, criminal damage to property and tampering with evidence. Tampering with evidence is a misdemeanor, but the other charges are felonies.

The adult faces the additional felony charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, while the juvenile faces the additional charge of misdemeanor obstruction of an officer.

The 22-year-old was transported to Lowndes County Jail, and the 15-year-old was released to his parents.

“This was an outstanding job by everyone involved.  From the citizen who immediately called E911, to the Lowndes County E911 Dispatcher getting the information out to our officers quickly, and the timely response by our officers, everyone working together ensured the arrest of these offenders,” said Police Chief Leslie Manahan.

 If anyone has any further information on this case or any other cases, please contact the Valdosta Police Department Bureau of Investigative Services at 229-293-3145, the crime tip line at 229-293-3091, or file a tip online at www.valdostacity.com/police-department.