Tamaqua Police charged a 14-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy in connection with a series of burglaries, vehicle thefts and criminal mischief incidents that occurred between April 5 and 6.

Police said that at 10:06 a.m. April 5, officers responded to a report of criminal mischief at 18 W. Spruce St. When they arrived, they found that a 2009 Yamaha R6 motorcycle, secured inside a building with a combination lock, was damaged with ignition wires cut, the gas tank tampered with and the ignition broken.

On April 6, the owner reported a forced entry into multiple storage units on the same property. Police said several locks had been cut and extensive damage was discovered, including slashed tires and damaged windshields on three off-road Jeeps, along with cut ignition wires.

Later that day, a 2003 Honda minivan was reported stolen from one of the garages.

Police said a review of downtown surveillance cameras showed the vehicle being driven at around 12:03 a.m. The minivan was later recovered on a private mine road off Foster Avenue in Coaldale after becoming stuck in mud.

During the investigation, police interviewed the juveniles with parental cooperation. It was determined the suspects attempted to start several vehicles, causing the ignition damage. Tools used in the crimes were located on the scene, and additional property damage resulted in an estimated total loss of $11,327.38.

Both juveniles face the following charges: four counts each of burglary and criminal trespass; one count each of theft of a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property; and three counts of criminal mischief.

Tamaqua police said the two juveniles will also be cited for trespassing on Lehigh Anthracite property in Tamaqua.

According to police, officers responded to a theft-related incident at the coal company property at 6 p.m. March 8.

The investigation revealed that the boys entered the property without permission and attempted to take a vehicle that had been left there. The 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee had been used on the property but was no longer in service.

Security personnel later found the Jeep abandoned near a gated entrance with a jump starter inside. Surveillance video reviewed by police showed the teens accessing the property and attempting to move the vehicle before it became stuck and left behind.