HIALEAH, Fla. – Four teenagers have been arrested in connection with two burglaries that were recently reported at two Walgreens stores in Hialeah, authorities said.
According to a news release, JonLuis Labadie, 19, Joanky Labadie, 19, Raul Ponce, 18, and Albert Ponce, 16, face burglary charges following a break-in that was reported about 2:30 a.m. Saturday at the Walgreens at 780 E. Ninth St.
Ponce is also charged in the burglary of a Walgreens that was reported at 3:50 a.m. Thursday at 7605 W. 33rd Court, police said.
Detectives believe all of the suspects were involved in that burglary as well and are working to bring charges to the remaining teens.
After the first burglary was reported, detectives scoped out several Walgreens stores in Hialeah, expecting the culprits to hit again.
Sure enough, detectives said they saw the teens break into the latest store on Saturday.
Police said surveillance video shows the teens heading straight for the pharmacy section, where they stole narcotic prescription painkillers to be later sold on the black market.
"They steal oxycodone, hydrocodone -- really powerful narcotics," Hialeah police Sgt. Carl Zogby said.
Police said the suspects led officers on a short pursuit in a silver 2014 Mercedes S-550, but were arrested after crashing on West Fourth Avenue and Ninth Street.
Police said the suspects also face drug trafficking charges.