'Shocking All Around' | 17-Year-Old Arrested After Allegedly Stealing Woman's Car, Causing A Multi-Vehicle Crash In East Baltimore
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Baltimore city police are investigating an armed robbery that led to a crash involving multiple cars in East Baltimore Friday morning.
Police initially believed the incident was a carjacking, but now say it was an armed robbery.
A 30-year-old woman was approached by two men armed with a handgun when she was trying to get into her car in the 700 block of South Clinton Street. They demanded her property and took her car keys, driving away in her vehicle.
Patrol units saw the car traveling at a high rate of speed, then the car struck two other cars in the 2100 block of Orleans Street and bailed out of the car.
Neighbors said they were shocked to hear about the incident taking place so close to home.
"I was really shocked when I heard it this morning, I actually though they had the wrong address," neighbor Caitlin Lynch said.
"We, of course, know what city living is all about, we hear the stories but it's a little surprising to hear it so close to home," area resident Joe Bentz said.
"There's no amount of caution you can put to have somebody jump out on you at 10 in the morning. You know what I mean? That's just shocking all around," said Thomas Bourne.
City councilman Zeke Cohen spoke with the victim after the incident.
"It's obviously very concerning, she was shaken up," Cohen said. "We as a community, as a city can't tolerate people, armed carjackings, robberies."
Cohen said police have stepped up patrols in the area but more needs to be done.
"I do want to see the commissioner and the department come up with a written plan to specifically deal with the robberies, armed robberies, carjackings because those types of crimes we just can't tolerate," he said.
The 17-year-old driving the car was arrested. The other suspect fled and police are searching for them.
Police said no one was injured.