Teenagers accused in at least 18 vehicle and residential burglaries that have dominated city and county crime dockets in recent months are expected to be indicted by the Warren County Grand Jury that gathered this morning.

“We do anticipate presenting a number of burglary cases to the grand jury,” District Attorney Ricky Smith said. “Local law enforcement is doing a good job of identifying those who are committing car and home burglaries and bringing them to us.”

The panel of 18 grand jurors was chosen and sworn in today under presiding Circuit Judge Isadore Patrick.

Among the youths who could face indictment are Bobby Bunton, 17, 209 Demby Drive, and Malcolm Robertson, 19, address unavailable. Both were arrested in August and charged by city and county authorities with multiple auto burglaries, a home burglary and auto theft.

Also, Joshua Coffee, 18, who gave addresses of 114 Kendra Drive and 241 Demby Drive when he was arrested Aug. 17 after a police K-9 unit tracked him from a Drummond Street auto burglary, is thought to be linked to other auto burglaries in the area, police Lt. Bobby Stewart has said.

Smith estimated that he will present 85 or more cases to grand jurors. Most are property and drug cases, and none of the anticipated cases involves murder or manslaughter charges, he said.

An arson case against Johnny Ray Galey, 54, who was arrested following a blaze at his home at 9960 U.S. 61 South, also is expected to be presented.

Jurors may also issue secret indictments against defendants not yet arrested for crimes on which authorities have collected evidence.

Jurors, who meet in closed sessions, are charged with reviewing evidence against people accused of felonies. If they return an indictment containing a formal charge, defendants are arraigned in open court, a trial date is set and, if necessary, a defense attorney is appointed. Patrick is expected to begin arraignments Thursday.

Cases not resulting in indictments are no-billed.

The jurors also tour the Warren County Jail, visit the Warren County Children’s shelter and Youth Court, meet with city and county law enforcement and justice officials and issue a written report with recommendations.

Warren County convenes four grand juries annually, with other terms in January, May and July. The next will convene Jan. 24.