The Metropolitan Police Department has confirmed the arrest of two teenagers and an adult in connection with a series of armed carjackings in Washington, DC. According to a report on MPD's official website, 16-year-old Antonio Gaither and 17-year-old Derrick West, both from DC, were apprehended last Friday and have been charged as adults.
There was several incidents they are associated with, spanning from mid-September to the end of September. These include armed carjackings with a gun and a knife, an unarmed carjacking, and the theft of a vehicle. Specifically, one incident on September 19, involving a firearm at 11th and K Streets, Northeast, and another on September 20, involving a knife in the 800 block of P Street, Northwest, have been linked to the accused.
In addition to the juveniles, 31-year-old Malcolm Demus has also been charged with crimes connected to the carjackings, which include multiple counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle and credit card fraud. The police have stated that the investigation is ongoing and encourage anyone with information to come forward. MPD offers a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to convictions in violent crime cases in the District.
The charges against Gaither, while residing in Southeast, DC, include a separate armed carjacking with a gun on September 21 in the 800 block of Southern Avenue, Southeast. Notably, among the offenses charged to Demus is unauthorized use of a vehicle finding its roots between September 17 and 18 in the Unit block of Burns Street, Northeast, which marked the earliest incident in this crime spree. The police have managed to recover the stolen vehicles associated with these incidents.
The arrests are the result of a detective's investigation initiated following the reported carjackings. The MPD has encouraged the local community to maintain vigilance and to contact the police department with any relevant information, assuring complete anonymity for tipsters. For those wishing to provide tips, the authorities have provided a dedicated text tip line at 50411, in addition to the traditional contact number.
