VALDOSTA – Two juveniles were arrested Saturday for allegedly burglarizing a Valdosta home.

At approximately 3:18 p.m., the Valdosta Police Department responded to a burglary in progress in the 2800 block of Clayton Drive after a neighbor reportedly noticed two male juveniles wearing backpacks and prowling around a yard, said VPD Chief Brian Childress.

“The neighbor called 911 and Valdosta Police Officers were on-scene within minutes. The initial officer observed the two juveniles who fled from the scene but were later caught by the officers near the break-in location,” Childress said. “Both juveniles were identified by the witness as the offenders who were prowling around the home. Although the residents of the burglarized home were not present, contact was made with them.”

The parents of the two juveniles, 12-years-old and 14-years-old, were contacted, and after interviews with both juveniles, they were charged with Burglary and Obstruction of an Officer, Childress said.

The Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) was contacted regarding the incident and one offender was incarcerated at the Youth Detention Center while the other was released to parents.

“I am proud of the resident who looked out for his neighbor who was away from home, gave a detailed description of the two offenders, and led officers to make arrests within a few minutes of the burglary,” said Childress.