Two teenagers were arrested overnight after an alleged holdup at a convenience store on the 5000 block of Benning Road SE in Southeast Washington, D.C., according to police. Officers say that around 12:27 a.m., two youths walked into the business, implied they were armed, and demanded cash and merchandise before taking off. Police caught up with them nearby and took both into custody, recovering what turned out to be a paintball gun. The suspects, a 16-year-old boy from Northeast D.C. and a 13-year-old boy from Oxon Hill, Maryland, are facing robbery charges, and the older teen is also accused of making threats to kidnap and injure a person.
Police account and arrests
Officers say they moved in quickly after the reported robbery, stopping the pair not far from the store and seizing a paintball marker that had allegedly been used to suggest they were armed. Both juveniles were arrested on robbery counts, and the 16-year-old was additionally charged with threats to kidnap and injure a person, according to the Metropolitan Police Department, as reported by WJLA.
Part of a broader youth-safety push
The incident unfolded as D.C. officials ramp up efforts to keep a closer eye on large groups of young people. Police have been more visible since a March 14 Navy Yard gathering that authorities say spiraled into several robberies, assaults and gun-related offenses. In response, city leaders rolled out targeted juvenile curfew zones in hotspots such as Navy Yard and the U Street corridor, aiming to curb unsupervised teen crowds in busy nightlife areas. Officers have also stepped up patrols in those entertainment corridors, which officials say is meant to prevent disorder before it starts.
Legal implications
The two boys now face robbery allegations, and the 16-year-old is additionally accused of issuing threats to kidnap and injure someone, charges that the Metropolitan Police Department outlined and that were reported by WJLA. Because both suspects are minors, their cases will go through juvenile-processing channels. Authorities have not yet released information about upcoming court hearings or how prosecutors plan to proceed.
Community reaction and next steps
The city’s tougher stance on youth crime, including the curfew policy and enhanced enforcement presence, has drawn a mixed response. Supporters argue it helps tamp down on late-night chaos, while critics worry it edges too close to criminalizing normal teen hangouts, as reported by new juvenile curfew zones. Officials have not released the name of the Benning Road store, and no additional details about the robbery were immediately available.
