Three teenagers were arrested Monday, charged with stealing nearly a dozen vehicles over a two-day period in Fairhope, according to the Fairhope Police Department.

The three males, ages 14, 16 and 17, were caught when a Fairhope officer noticed one of the stolen vehicles Sunday evening. The officer initiated a traffic stop, but the occupants abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.

Despite initially eluding arrest, police obtained information which allowed them to track down the three suspects.

Three firearms were stolen along with the 11 vehicles. Police have recovered one of the weapons and 10 of the vehicles, which have been returned to their owners.

Fairhope police Lt. Shane Nolte said the string of auto thefts should serve as a reminder to residents to lock their vehicles.

“While blame is squarely on the individuals arrested,” Nolte said. “Keys left in unlocked vehicles, certainly created greater opportunity. We cannot stress enough to residents about properly securing their vehicles and homes.”

The thefts occurred in nine different neighborhoods in Fairhope:

• Bell Chase neighborhood (one vehicle and one gun)
• 100 block Nichols Avenue (one vehicle)
• Summit Street (one vehicle)
• 9000 block County Road 34 (one vehicle and one gun)
• Old Battles Village (one vehicle and one gun)
• Firethorne neighborhood (two vehicles)
• Southland Place (one vehicle)
• Echo Lane (two vehicles)
• Woodmere Drive (one vehicle)

Thus far, two of the teenagers have been charged with receiving stolen property, while the third is charged with 1st-degree theft. Police said additional charges are pending.