4 teens arrested after another carjacking in Baltimore involving juveniles
Four teens were arrested in connection with a carjacking in Baltimore on Wednesday, July 2, according to police.
It was the second such case reported in the city this week.
West Baltimore carjacking
Officers said the carjacking happened around 12:30 a.m. in the 900 block of Ducatel Street.
The teens were arrested after an aviation unit told ground officers about a stolen vehicle traveling in the 300 block of Mosher Street on Thursday, July 3.
Police found the vehicle in the 300 block of McMechen Street, where the suspects got out and fled on foot.
After a short chase, officers arrested two 15-year-old boys, a 14-year-old boy, and a 16-year-old boy.
The 16-year-old was charged as an adult for a handgun violation while the three other teens were charged as juveniles, officers said.
Officers said three of the teens were previously involved in armed robberies and auto thefts.
Residents disappointed
"That's really shocking," said Adrienne Swinton, who lives in the neighborhood. "I wouldn't have ever thought anything like that would've happened in this neighborhood."
Neighbors describe the area as peaceful and friendly.
"You know, never really had nothing like that happen around here that I know of," said a man who requested to stay anonymous. "A few drive-through chases, accidents, things of that nature, but nothing of no carjacking. That's just strange."
Swinton said she's only lived in the neighborhood for a few months and hasn't heard of any acts of violence while living there.
"Me, as a woman, leaving out early in the morning to have to go to work, it's very scary," she said.
A neighbor said it's frustrating to hear about a carjacking on his block and said change must happen to prevent repeat offenders.
"Several times, it's already been noted that the same one they lock up today is right out there the same day they lock them or the next day doing it all over again," he said.
Earlier this week, Mayor Brandon Scott told reporters there must be a balance to holding young people accountable while also supporting them.
"We have to hold people accountable no matter the age, but we also have to build a system that understands that young people's brains are different and we have to, in every case that we can, rehabilitate them," Mayor Scott said.
Video captures Baltimore carjacking
A similar carjacking incident on July 1 was captured in a dramatic video.
The video, obtained by WJZ, shows a 41-year-old woman having her car keys snatched shortly after 11 a.m.
The theft happened in the 900 block of West 36th Street. The victim chased after the thief, who got away.
Just moments later, the video shows the suspect driving off in the woman's red sedan, which was parked in the neighboring lot.
Five teens were arrested in the carjacking, and three of them were on ankle monitors from other arrests.
Residents told WJZ that they were concerned about children being involved in crime, and how the crime can deter people from enjoying Baltimore.
Juvenile crime in Baltimore
A 14-year-old repeat offender was arrested for a violent crime spree in Northwest Baltimore last week.
Police said on June 22 that the teen was linked to a carjacking in the 5300 block of Perring Parkway.
In May, the teen was placed on GPS monitoring for stealing a car, crashing it, and injuring several people.
Addressing juvenile crime has been a priority for Baltimore leaders.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is using community engagement to help tackle the issue, creating opportunities for youth to gain summer employment and enriching programming.
Scott's Summer Youth Engagement Strategy was launched in 2023, and since then, the city has seen significant drops in violent crime.
Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates said there's a need to hold juvenile offenders more accountable and to stop releasing repeat offenders into the community.
