Authorities are crediting vigilant neighbors for the arrest of a teenager they say is responsible for recent thefts from vehicles in a subdivision south of Cumming.

Forsyth County Sheriff’s Investigator Sebastian Strano said a 15-year-old boy was charged Thursday with 14 counts of entering auto.

The teen, whose identity has not been released because of his age, was turned over to his parents.

Strano said the vehicles had been left unlocked and various items were taken.

The arrest came about a week after seven vehicles had reportedly been entered in the neighborhood.

Sheriff’s Lt. Col. Gene Moss said residents were on alert after a notice had been sent out through the Neighborhood Watch program about the March 13 thefts.

“It was a good job between the uniform patrols, criminal investigations and the neighborhood,” Moss said, adding that the neighborhood will receive a commendation from Forsyth County Sheriff Ted Paxton.

About 1:40 a.m. Thursday a resident reported seeing a boy with a backpack walking around the neighborhood after a vehicle had been entered.

The neighbor approached the teen, who Strano said dropped his backpack and ran.

Authorities used a bloodhound to track the teen, who they found with some of the missing property, including tools, seven cans of soft drinks and some candy.

The investigation is continuing, Moss said, and more arrests are possible.

E-mail Julie Arrington at juliearrington@forysthnews.com