Fountain Teen Linked To Over 60 Car Thefts

Police arrest a Fountain teen they say is responsible for dozens of car thefts. Joseph Kwon Spoerl, 19, is accused of stealing from his own neighbors and many others.

Police have spent months investigating more than 60 car thefts around the city–unlocked vehicles, the target. Officers said Spoerl pawned things he took, like iPods, and that led officers to his parents’ house where they recovered more stolen items.

One of Spoerl’s neighbors pointed out all the homes in the area that have had car break-ins.

“It was that house, that house, two houses down, another friend of ours that lives right around the corner,” said Alexis Kauffman.

Kauffman’s car was hit twice and cash and her iPod taken. We told her about Spoerl’s arrest.

“Oh, wow,” she said. “Yeah, my husband and I hired him when we landscaped our backyard to help us with the rocks. He seemed like a really nice kid at that time.”

Spoerl’s mother told KRDO Newschannel 13 her son was being bailed out of jail Thursday evening. She began crying about the theft accusations.

Leah Felix had two designer purses and her wallet taken from her car on Friday. She talked to police, but still hasn’t found out if they’ve recovered her belongings. She’s hoping she and her neighbors can rest a little easier now.

“We really never experienced anything like this before,” said Felix. “I just think it’s hit us kind of hard and then with the economy being so bad, people losing anything is just hard.”

Spoerl is facing multiple felony charges of 1st Degree Criminal Trespass. Police said they expect to make more arrests. One theft victim told KRDO Newschannel 13 police are looking for Spoerl’s friend, who is homeless. Spoerl’s Facebook page says he is a 2011 graduate of Mesa Ridge High School.