WASHINGTON — A 16-year-old already wanted in Maryland in connection with a homicide was arrested this week on charges linked to two armed robberies and a carjacking in D.C.
Detectives from MPD’s Carjacking Task Force took the teen into custody Thursday on two felony counts of armed robbery, one count of armed carjacking with a gun and one count of auto theft. He will also face a charge of carrying a pistol without a license for a stolen, unregistered firearm reportedly found in his possession at the time of his arrest.
Police say the teen, who has not been identified, has been linked to a series of crimes that occurred Tuesday within roughly a mile-and-a-half from each other in Southeast. The first, an armed robbery and auto theft, occurred just before 3:30 p.m. in the 400 block of Condon Terrace.
Police say the teen then committed an armed robbery at approximately 6 p.m. a short distance away in the 3900 block of 4th Street SE as well as a separate armed carjacking an hour-and-a-half later in the 1600 block of Savannah Street SE.
During his arrest, detectives determined he had an extraditable warrant from Maryland connected to a homicide investigation. It was unclear what charges he faced in that case.
Teenagers have been increasingly linked to armed robberies and carjackings in the District. Last month, three teenagers – ages 14, 15 and 16 – were arrested for allegedly flashing guns and forcing two people out of their vehicles, which they then drove off with.
On Friday, 16-year-old Marlan Smith Jr. and 17-year-old Anthony Monroe appeared in D.C. Superior Court on first-degree murder charges for allegedly shooting and killing another teenager, 17-year-old Antonio Cunningham, while trying to rob him of his shoes. Prosecutors say the fatal shooting was the culmination of an armed robbery spree targeting brand name sneakers and iPhones.
Last month, a 13-year-old was shot and killed while allegedly attempting to carjack a federal security officer. Police are still looking for a second teenager who fled the scene.
D.C. officials have struggled to deal with rising crime in the city, which is seeing its highest homicide rate in decades. The D.C. Council passed emergency crime legislation in July aimed at tackling the violent crime wave, and approved an extension of that legislation last month.