Shocking video footage has emerged, displaying a violent act committed by two teenagers against a 61-year-old woman in Cleveland. The woman, who was with her dogs, faced a brutal carjacking that has prompted the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor to advocate for the teens to be tried as adults. FOX8 reports that the teens, aged 14 and 17, whose names are withheld due to their juvenile status, were caught on camera outside the Thurgood Marshall Recreation Center on Hough Avenue on October 31.
The younger teen is seen snatching car keys from the woman and tossing them to the 17-year-old. FOX8 obtained the video showing the events. The woman tried to prevent them from taking her car. However, the struggle quickly escalated when the 14-year-old brandished a handgun with an extended magazine. The older teen kicked one of the woman’s dogs during this confrontation. Despite her efforts, which included pulling out a taser, she was ultimately overpowered, and the assailants fled with her vehicle.
Additionally, the same two individuals are implicated in further illicit behavior. In a statement released by FOX8, moments after the carjacking, they attempted to steal another car at Cleveland State University. In an incident shortly following, the 17-year-old is alleged to have tried to run over two girls, demanding a ski mask, News 5 Cleveland reports. The girls refused his demands and narrowly escaped being struck by the car.
In a bid to combat the rise in juvenile crime, Prosecutor Michael O’Malley is pushing the court to consider adult charges for the perpetrators. O'Malley expressed his alarm at the level of violence exhibited by the teens, stating to FOX8, "Anybody who’s capable of doing that for no reason other than to steal a hat has to be taken off the street." He highlighted the growing issue of juvenile delinquency, citing an uptick in gun violence among minors. "Sadly we see videos like that almost daily in this office," he lamented.
The teens racked up charges of aggravated robbery, with further investigation into a crime spree including car break-ins and police chases, according to Cleveland 19 News. While addressing the deeper societal issue, O'Malley also called for more parental involvement. "I don’t know where the parents of these individuals are, but somebody is raising these kids and somebody should know where they’re at and what they’re doing," he told FOX8.
