VALDOSTA — Two juveniles have been taken into custody after an attempt to break into a church Sunday evening.

An anonymous caller reported a burglary in progress at a church in the 800 block of West Magnolia Street at approximately 8:30 p.m. Sunday, according to Valdosta Police reports released Monday.

Officers responded to the building and found two subjects at the rear of the building. A window was broken and police said the youths were attempting to enter the church.

One was immediately detained while the other fled the scene. He was located shortly after attempting to hide under a parked car.

Both juveniles, ages 13 and 14, are charged with burglary, according to the VPD. The juvenile who fled the scene will face the additional charge of misdemeanor obstruction, reports stated. They were turned over to the Department of Juvenile Justice.

“Unsupervised juveniles committing crimes continues to be a problem in our city and other communities in Georgia. Now two more young teenagers are facing felony charges through the juvenile criminal justice system. Until we, as parents and guardians, start supervising our children and holding them accountable, this will continue to be a problem,” said Valdosta Police Chief Brian Childress. 

Desiree Carver is Lifestyles Editor at the Valdosta Daily Times. She can be reached at (229) 375-5777.