Seven teenagers, aged from 13-16, were arrested and charged in connection with an armed carjacking early Tuesday after a crash in Northeast DC.
The alleged carjacking was first reported in Prince George’s County, leading to a police chase, according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The car was reportedly stolen from a woman as she was pumping gas.
The stolen SUV was spotted by officers, who started a short chase that ended in the District at around 11 pm with the vehicle crashing into parked cars in the 200 block of 14th Place Northeast.
The minors arrested include a 13-year-old, who was reportedly behind the wheel; three 14-year-olds; a 15-year-old; and two 16-year-olds.
The 13-year-old has been charged with reckless driving, leaving after colliding, unauthorized use of a vehicle, fleeing from a law enforcement officer, and driving with no permit, according to DC police.
The 14-year-olds, two 16-year-olds, and the 15-year-old were charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle.
MPD is trying to extradite the teens back to Maryland as it has a supporting role in the investigation led by the Seat Pleasant Police Department.
The recent rise in carjackings involving minors in the District came to the public’s attention with the carjacking attempt by two teenage girls that led to the death of a Pakistani immigrant who was driving an UberEats vehicle on March 23.
Earlier this month, a DC juvenile court judge ruled that the 15-year-old who caused the death of Mohammad Anwar will stay in a youth detention center until she turns 21.
At least one minor was arrested in 19 carjackings committed in the District this year as of the end of March, according to MPD.
There has also been an overall rise in carjackings, with more than 100 incidents this year, while the figure was a little over 20 during the same period of 2020.
Teen Girl Receives Max Sentence for Carjacking That Led to Death of UberEats Driver