Six juvenile suspects were arrested after the Kewanee Police Department license plate reader detected a stolen vehicle from Peoria entering Kewanee city limits early Thursday morning.

According to a news release issued by the KPD, once the stolen vehicle was detected at approximately 4:15 a.m., officers from the KPD and deputies from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office began a search.

The car was later found at Becks gas station on the south end of town. Another vehicle that had been stolen from Brimfield, but hadn’t yet been reported, was also found at the gas station.

When police arrived at the gas station, five juveniles fled the scene. Officers immediately apprehended one suspect and found a sixth juvenile suspect inside the gas station.

The remaining four suspects who had fled were later located by police. All of the suspects were arrested though the police didn’t list what the juveniles were charged with in the release. The juveniles were issued juvenile referrals and released to either their guardians or into DCFS custody.

The KPD received several calls from the community members who observed the suspects running or hiding.

“We would like to thank the community for their assistance in helping us locate all the suspects,” the release said.