AMHERST — Three Amherst teenagers are facing a series of charges related to a break-in at a smoke shop early morning on July 23, according to Amherst Police.
The teens, one age 18 and the other two age 14, will be summoned to court on charges of breaking and entering during the nighttime to commit a felony, malicious destruction of property over $250 and larceny over $250, said Detective Nicholas Chandler.
Chandler said the three teens used a hammer to smash windows at the Wild Side Smoke Shop at 332 College St. at around 3:17 a.m. Sunday, and then attempted to flee with more than $250 worth of merchandise from the store, including glass pipes and incense. They abandoned the items while leaving the building, according to police.
“All property was recovered on the scene,” Chandler said.
After collecting evidence from the scene and reviewing surveillance video from other nearby stores, police identified the suspects who acknowledged their involvement in the incident during interviews, Chandler said.
The 18-year-old will be arraigned in Eastern Hampshire District Court in Belchertown, while the cases for the 14-year-olds will go to Franklin-Hampshire Juvenile Court in Hadley.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.