Arrests made after Tennessee woman helps police track down stolen cars

MEMPHIS, Tenn. ( WREG ) — Police say they stopped a pair of alleged teenage car thieves accused of stealing five vehicles in two days.

Officers on Tuesday arrested 19-year-old Neno Ceaser and a 15-year-old after members of the Auto Theft Task Force discovered the stolen automobiles in the backyard of a vacant house in South Memphis.

Police said one of the victims tracked her stolen 2017 Kia Optima to the address and told them she saw the 15-year-old walking around her apartment complex the day her car was taken.

The house where the vehicles were found had been vacant for about a week, neighbors told NewsNation affiliate WREG.

Investigators said a Hyundai Sonata and Hyundai Elantra found at the house had been stolen from the driveway of another home hours earlier.

The 76-year-old owner asked not to be identified but said he didn’t know the vehicles were missing until deputies showed up at his door.

“It’s the second time. They tried to snatch them six months ago, but they didn’t get them out because they locked the steering up and couldn’t drive them,” he said.

The victim said he was relieved police located his cars so quickly but had no idea what kind of condition the vehicles were in since they were towed to the city impound lot.

“If they are not driveable, they will be nothing but a headache to take care of. We’ll do whatever we have to,” he said.

Ceaser was charged with several counts of theft of property, vandalism, possession of burglary tools, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The 15-year-old was also charged with theft, vandalism, and possession of burglary tools.

Investigators have not said if they are looking for additional suspects.

Ceaser is detained a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court Thursday,

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.