Police believe a 12-year-old boy may be connected to a string of break-ins and robberies around Maryland but are unable to charge the boy due to a juvenile justice law protecting him, according to NBC Washington.
Security footage outside of a North Potomac home shows a hooded figure believed to be the 12-year-old boy walking up to and attempting to break into two vehicles parked in the driveway until he was eventually able to start one and drive off with it. The stolen car was later abandoned just a few minutes from the house. “I think it is unfortunate that cars are being stolen in our community. I want our community to be a safe place that everyone can enjoy, free from threats such as carjacking,” senior Charlie Balian said.
The same boy is believed to be responsible for an extensive series of crimes, including carjacking, breaking-ins and various types of theft, according to NBC Washington. “I feel a bit scared that people so young are committing such crimes,” junior Andrew Bian said.
According to Maryland statute §3–8A–03, a child under the age of 13 years may not be charged with a crime. As a result, Montgomery County Police have filed several orders in an attempt to stop the 12-year-old boy from stealing cars but have been unsuccessful up to this point, according to FOX 5 Washington. “It shows how easy it is for someone to commit a crime. It also reveals how easy it is for someone to get away with a crime, which could influence others,” junior Caroline Min said.
Since the car thief is only 12, he cannot be arrested and has remained relatively unaffected by any legal consequences. “I think it is unfair that he is able to get away with the crime just because of his age since he is still old enough to understand what he is doing. It is also ineffective in putting a stop to his actions,” Min said.
Additionally, the cases have raised concerns about how easy it is for children to get ahold of vehicles. This child has been able to steal and drive multiple cars, endangering everyone on the roads. “The fact that a 12-year-old was able to drive in our community without anyone stopping them is unfortunate. We should be able to recognize someone like that driving a car and address it immediately,” Balian said.
The young thief’s unique, repeated behavior has also drawn reactions from the community. The boy has been caught abandoning cars, stealing phones, and stockpiling fast food in the carjacked vehicles, according to FOX 5 Washington.
This child is just one example of children who are getting in serious trouble for dangerous and alarming actions at young ages. As a result, members of the community are worried that the situations in which these kids are being raised are unhealthy and may harm their future opportunities. “I think it is very sad seeing how people are already going down a bad path so young,” Bian said.
