A teen in Martin County, Florida, is facing multiple charges after an alleged series of car thefts and burglaries. According to the police, when questioned about his reasons, the 15-year-old boy said that he was “bored.”
According to a post made by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), various car thefts and burglaries had been reported throughout several local neighborhoods. These included Rocky Point, New Monrovia, and Emerald Lakes.
As reported by TCPalm, citing Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek, these incidents occurred within 30 days. Citizens saw their vehicles stolen or burglarized, and urgently wanted answers.
This all changed on Monday, June 8. A 15-year-old named Mlaik Brivard was arrested.
Teen Arrested, E-Bike Incident
The MCSO detailed that they responded to a suspicious person report in one of the aforementioned neighborhoods. Deputies responded to the unspecified location, and they encountered a hooded individual with his face covered.
According to Sheriff Budenseik, Brivard had stolen an e-bike. However, when approached by deputies, the 15-year-old decided to flee, the MCSO said.
“When deputies attempted to make contact, Brivard fled on foot, leading to a brief but intense foot chase. One that Brivard came in second place,” the sheriff’s office said. Budenseik detailed that agents used a Taser to stop the 15-year-old on his tracks.
Piecing Everything Together
Deputies took Brivard into custody. While interviewing him, they managed to connect him to the set of car thefts and burglaries in the neighborhoods.
The MCSO then gained access to surveillance footage in the area. It showed, as per the sheriff’s office, Brivard committing the crimes while dressing blak in an attempt to conceal his identity.
In total, Brivard is accused of stealing five Kia vehicles, which have all been recovered ever since. He is charged wtih five counts of grand theft auto, eight counts of burglary, and one count of grand theft. Given his charges, he could be sent to adult court, facing decades behind bars.
He Was ‘Bored’
Budensiek, while talking about the case, referred to a years-old TikTok trend. According to him, many juveniles sought to steal and joyride in Kias, which were subsequently abandoned.
“This looked like a copy of that,” the sheriff said. “He was going around to Kias that had not gone back in for the recall and gotten fixed.”
Allegedly, Brivard confessed to a variety of crimes. When asked to explain the reason behind the car thefts and the burglaries, he said, as per Budensiek, that he was “bored.”