NORWICH – The Norwich Police Department caught four youths red-handed as they allegedly stole a car right in front of them. The four were apprehended early Thursday morning.

Norwich Police Chief Angelino said officers in civilian clothes were patrolling the area of the third ward in the City of Norwich. The department had recently warned citizens to lock their cars and homes after a number of home burglaries and thefts from vehicles in the city.

Police had assigned plainclothes officers to patrol the victimized streets at night, carrying with them a thermal imaging device that gave officers night vision capabilities.

“This is the epitome of what the Norwich Police are there for, so people can sleep soundly at night knowing officers are watching their community,” said Angelino. “I am very pleased with the efforts the officers put into this.”

Angelino said one of the officers in the surveillance foot patrol observed four youths at a distance as they rummaged through and then stole a parked vehicle.

Just like in other recent incidents, police said the Durango was unlocked and the keys were inside it.

The officer, on foot and unable to pursue the vehicle, called in for marked patrol cars to assist him as he continued to follow the other youths who didn’t leave with the SUV. The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police also responded and helped to take two of the defendants into custody.