Nineteen children, ages 9 to 16, have been accused of stealing more than $1.1 million in vehicles from Winston-Salem car dealerships.

The thefts started March 17, according to Winston-Salem police.

Detectives with the Winston-Salem Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division said 18 store break-ins at local auto dealerships in Winston-Salem, as well two Kernersville dealerships, have been targeted.

Many of the dealerships listed as victims have been targeted more than once during this crime spree, police said.

Forty-six vehicles, valued at approximately $1,138,718, were reported as stolen in Winston-Salem. All but six of the vehicles have been recovered.

Detectives have sought, and thus far have been denied, secure custody orders from the Forsyth County Department of Juvenile Justice for the children and teenagers involved.

Detectives have also arrested one adult, 19-year-old Mekeal Binns, in connection to this investigation. Binns is charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle and is being held in the Forsyth County Detention Center.

Police said detectives are continuing to investigate the crimes and working to prevent future thefts.

Authorities said they are also working with local dealerships to better secure their facilities and to initiate steps to prevent thieves from obtaining vehicles keys if they succeed in gaining entry into the dealership.

The Winston-Salem auto dealerships targeted in this crime spree are as follows:

• Flow Honda, 2600 Peters Creek Parkway
• Flow Lexus, 801 Jonestown Road
• Enterprise Rentals, 3080 University Parkway
• Parkway Ford, 3150 University Parkway
• Flow Audi, 465 Silas Creek Parkway
• Modern Infinity, 1500 Peters Creek Parkway
• Bob King Kia, 1725 Link Road
• Modern Toyota, 3178 Peters Creek Parkway
• Volvo, 701 Peters Creek Parkway
• Parkway Ford, 2104 Peters Creek Parkway
• Flow Subaru, 425 Silas Creek Parkway
• Flow Chevrolet, S. Stratford Road