Tag: CARJACKINGS
11-year-old getaway driver busted with 10 teens in violent crime spree
A group of 11 juveniles, including a suspected 11-year-old getaway driver, were arrested after three high-speed pursuits stemming from a series of violent robberies, carjackings and burglaries in California, police said.
San Jose police announced Wednesday that the male and female suspects — ranging in age from 11 to 17 years old — were booked into Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall on charges of armed robbery, carjacking, possession of a stolen vehicle, reckless driving and resisting arrest.
The suspects are accused of committing more than a dozen robberies, carjackings and burglaries, including some at gunpoint, over the weekend in San Jose. The alleged spree started at 11 p.m. Friday, when a woman was carjacked, and continued for the next six hours, the Mercury News reports.
At least 15 victims have been identified, according to the newspaper, and investigators believe there may be others who have yet to contact police.
“I have a lot of concern about the rise of juvenile crime in the city, and the violent crime that has been occurring,” San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia told the newspaper. “We’re not talking about graffiti or knocking down garbage cans or having loud parties. These are adult crimes. These are not kids crimes.”
Investigators are still working to piece the alleged crime spree together. The suspected drivers in the high-speed pursuits with cops were ages 11, 14 and 17, police said.
The rash of crime marked the second high-profile arrest of a group of teens in San Jose in as many months, according to the newspaper. Police in October arrested an 18-year-old man along with four minors after a 12-hour crime spree that allegedly included a homeowner shot during a botched burglary, several home invasions and a carjacking.
“This is happening almost every other week,” Lt. Paul Joseph told the newspaper. “It’s different groups and different kids each time. Another group springs up as soon as we arrest the last group.”