CLEVELAND — On Wednesday, the Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) announced the arrest of a 14-year-old boy who was wanted for an aggravated robbery last month, but who investigators also believe is involved in "dozens of recent crimes."
In addition, a 13-year-old and a 17-year-old were taken into custody and are also facing charges.
In a release, the CDP says detectives located the 14-year-old suspect in a recently stolen vehicle. "When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver refused, leading officers on a pursuit," police noted.
The vehicle was later found unoccupied in a parking lot on Kenmore Avenue and the suspects were believed to have gone into a nearby home. Police say detectives obtained consent to enter the residence, where detectives found all three teens, who were taken into custody without incident. In addition, two guns were recovered at the scene.
According to the release, the 14-year-old was arrested for an aggravated robbery that happened on Oct. 31, plus charges of receiving stolen property, obstruction, fleeing and eluding, and carrying a concealed weapon. The 13-year-old boy, who was wanted on a previous warrant for felonious assault, was also arrested for obstruction, failure to comply, and weapons violations related to this incident. The 17-year-old male was arrested in connection with the Oct. 31 aggravated robbery.
“I continually say that the men and women of the Cleveland Division of Police work extremely hard to investigate crimes and, time and time again, make these great arrests,” said Cleveland Police Chief Annie Todd in a statement. “It is troubling to see juveniles bold enough to continue committing these violent crimes. I hope these arrests result in a visible change in their behavior and bring a sense of peace to our community who has been deeply impacted by these crimes.”
In addition to the alleged aggravated robbery that happened on Oct. 31, investigators suspect that the 14-year-old was involved in several recent crimes, including grand theft of motor vehicles, car break-ins, and other aggravated robberies.
"This same juvenile has been arrested multiple times in the past for similar crimes," CDP officials stated in the release, adding that the crimes are "all under investigation" and charges are forthcoming.
“The sheer havoc this individual is believed to have wreaked on our community is beyond alarming and more so frustrating when considering how many second chances he has been afforded. Instead of taking advantage of those opportunities he chose to continue his criminality,” said Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb in a statement. “Residents are fed up, businesses are fed up, and I am fed up. It is time that he be held fully accountable for the crimes he has committed and I’m hopeful the court system will do just that.”
The Cleveland Division of Police is asking the public to share any video footage of car break-ins in the area of "Downtown east to East 55th St. occurring between October 1, 2024, and November 12, 2024, as it is believed the 14-year-old juvenile may be responsible for additional incidents."
Videos must include a previously filed police report number and can be emailed to jhoward@clevelandohio.gov.