By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Political Writer
Tmcqueen@afro.com
At the office of Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates on April 3, Bates announced the arrest of 20 juveniles, ages 12 to 17, in connection with numerous carjackings and other crimes throughout Baltimore City in 2023.
“This group is alleged to have committed offenses working in subgroups of two to eight members,” said Bates to reporters on April 3. “The majority of the incidents occurred over an eight to ten-week period between October and November of 2023. The alleged offenses include armed carjacking, armed robbery, assault and handgun violations.”
According to information released by Bates, the juveniles operated in seven of the nine police districts in Baltimore City.
Bates said he “received numerous complaints about carjackings across the city” in 2023, which encouraged a collaborative operation between the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) and the state’s attorney’s office.
“As part of this 15-week investigation that began in mid to late October of 2023, this was conducted with my juvenile and major investigation units in partnership with the BPD,” he said.
Bates said his office is in the process of charging a total of 113 cases for 53 incidents involving these youth including some individuals who can be charged as adults. Baltimore City Police Commissioner Richard Worley also spoke at the press conference.
“To those who committed these heinous acts, just let it be known that we are going to continue to come after you – whatever age you are juvenile adult. Together, with the partnership, we are going to come after you and we are going to put you behind bars if you don’t stop the behavior,” said Worley.
Bates also announced that new parental accountability measures will be implemented moving forward.
“Parents and guardians in Baltimore City, I want you to listen closely, if you don’t remember anything else about this press conference just remember two words– ‘parental accountability,’” said Bates. “From here on out if you are found to contribute to the delinquency of a minor child, my office will look to charge you and hold you accountable.”
Bates said before this measure can be applied, they will have to ensure the parents in question were informed about their child’s behavior and knew the rules.
Tashi McQueen is a Report For America corps member.
