Three teenage boys accused in a recent string of home burglaries might have counted on their victims being gone during the daytime.

They didn't count on the neighbors being home.

Thanks to an observant neighbor, Rapid City police arrested two 15-year-olds and one 16-year-old Friday on suspicion of burglarizing six homes since Sept. 24.

Investigators believe the boys used force to break into homes during the daytime, stealing mainly electronics and alcohol. Rapid City Police Sgt. Pete Ragnone said the targets were scattered throughout town and apparently were chosen at random.

For the burglars, the last choice was a poor one.

At about 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 3, a resident of Arrowhead Drive noticed a strange car parked in her neighbor's driveway. Knowing the homeowner was not currently living there, the neighbor walked over and confronted the boys, who made up a story and left.

The neighbor then called police and described the car and the juveniles, who were arrested downtown three hours later. Some of the stolen goods were found in their car, Ragnone said.

"The hero of this story is the neighbor that was aware, looking out for her fellow neighbors … and took the time to look into the matter and call and report to police," Ragnone said. "We could all only hope to have neighbors that good."

The juveniles were arrested on six counts of second-degree burglary, each of which is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine upon conviction.

Ragnone said all three boys have criminal records and two were supposed to be on house arrest for other crimes when they were arrested Friday. The third boy was on juvenile intensive probation. They do not have a history of committing violent crimes, Ragnone said.

"It's terribly disappointing that these juveniles have been given breaks by the system before, and they continue to commit crimes," he said.

Police encourage local residents to watch out for their neighbors and report any suspicious behavior at 394-4131.

Contact Heidi Bell Gease at 394-8419 or heidi.bell@rapidcityjournal.com