MOULTRIE — Three Colquitt County High School students were apprehended after they allegedly stole items from a local gas station Tuesday morning.

Demetrius Denta Williams, 17, of 1591 Highway 33 S., Lot 4, a 14-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy were each charged with theft by shoplifting.

An officer was called to Murphy Express on South Veterans Parkway about 7:55 a.m. Tuesday about a theft. The employee stated five black males and a black female, all believed to be high school students, walked around the store for a few minutes then left without making a purchase.

A customer told the employee some of the boys stole various items. Video surveillance footage shows three of them apparently putting beef jerky and tobacco products into their pockets.

The officer was given photos of the alleged thieves, and he took them to the high school’s School Resource Officers (SRO) to try and identify them. The officer was called back to the high school at 10:21 a.m. after an SRO stated he had located three suspects.

The officer spoke with Williams, and he was given four Black & Mild cigars from the young man’s boot. The officer then spoke with the 14-year-old, who stated he did not steal anything but was given some of the stolen beef jerky; some of it was in his pocket and was given to the officer. The 15-year-old told the officer he stole about 20 pieces of beef jerky, which were found during a search of his locker.

All three were placed under arrest. Williams was taken to Colquitt County Jail while the younger boys were turned over to their parents. The value of the stolen items was $8.59.

ArrestsMoultrie Police

• Carl Dean Rice II, 19, of 15 Quiet Cove, was charged Aug. 17 with DUI, a seatbelt violation and an open container violation.

Colquitt County S.O.

• Antonio Villeda, 36, of 122 Sylvester Drive, was charged Tuesday with driving without a license, no proof of insurance and driving with suspended registration.

• Felipe Martinez, 28, of 589 Circle Road, was charged Sept. 14 with DUI.

• Joe Anthony Owens, 36, of the Colquitt County Correctional Institution, was charged Sept. 25 with possession of a cell phone by an inmate while incarcerated.