Baltimore Police Arrest 16 Juveniles aged 13 to 17 following Weekend Crime Spree

BALTIMORE, MD — The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) announced the arrest of 16 juveniles, aged 13 to 17, following a series of criminal incidents over the weekend of April 25–27, 2025. The arrests, which involved charges of robbery, stolen auto, burglary, handgun violations, and both aggravated and common assault, have sparked frustration among residents and officials amid concerns over juvenile crime in the city.

According to BPD, the crimes occurred across various neighborhoods, with notable incidents including an armed robbery near the Westside Shopping Center in Southwest Baltimore on Sunday and a burglary at Mary E. Rodman Elementary School on Friday night, where two suspects, aged 14 and 17, were apprehended while dragging a safe out of the building. Of the 16 juveniles arrested, 11 had prior arrest records, with two having been arrested more than nine times each. Thirteen suspects were transported to the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center, though seven were released to their guardians. Three of the teens face charges as adults, though their identities have not been disclosed due to their age.

Police Commissioner Richard Worley expressed dismay at the involvement of young people in violent crimes, stating, “It is incredibly frustrating to see young people involved in violent crimes across our city. Our officers are working every day to keep our neighborhoods safe, but real, lasting change requires all of us, from our families, schools, community leaders, and the justice system working together.” The BPD emphasized its ongoing efforts to address crime through strategic deployments, including the Regional Auto Theft Task Force and district-specific units, which played a key role in apprehending the suspects.

Community reactions, as reported by FOX Baltimore, reflect growing frustration over the lack of consequences for repeat offenders. One resident remarked, “Once it’s been looked into and they see that they got a pattern going on and they just continually breaking the law, I think some consequences should be held.” The arrests come at a time when Baltimore has seen a decline in overall violent crime, with homicides down 23% and non-fatal shootings down 34% in 2024 compared to 2023, according to BPD’s 2024 Year-End Crime Report. However, juvenile crime remains a persistent challenge, with 458 youth arrests recorded through July 31, 2024, a significant drop from 976 in the same period in 2019, per The Sentencing Project.

Sources: FOX Baltimore, April 28, 2025; Baltimore Police Department, April 28, 2025; The Sentencing Project, October 1, 2024; Baltimore Police Department 2024 Year-End Crime Report, December 31, 2024.

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