Posted on 12/02/24
| News Source: FOX45
Baltimore, MD - Dec. 2, 2024 - Baltimore County Police said they will maintain a presence of additional officers in the area around Towson Town Center throughout the holiday season, especially after five teens were arrested following an attempted carjacking.
Police said the attempted carjacking happened in the 800 block of Dulaney Valley Road, in the Towson Town Center Parking Garage, around 8 p.m. Saturday. Police said the suspects were a 13-year-old male, two 15-year-old males, a 16-year-old male and a 17-year-old female.
Police said four of the five teens are also suspects in a reported assault that occurred in the area on the evening of November 29. Police said a female reported she was assaulted by a group of juveniles who attempted to steal her keys. A spokesperson continued to say that evidence obtained while investigating that case assisted in apprehending the suspects on Saturday.
While police are still investigating, it is not clear if the teens, once arrested, were detained, put on ankle monitoring or released to their guardians. As of Monday evening, the Department of Juvenile Services had not yet answered.
"I am just concerned what effect this will have on the mall, and also just people in the community," said Ryan Coleman, president of the Randallstown NAACP. "What we are hearing is that people do not want to come to Towson mall because they don't feel safe."
"I am worried this is going to keep happening because it does keep happening," he added. "How about we be proactive, and we start giving them the resources they need before they start doing these crimes."
Coleman said he was going to continue to work with Baltimore Police and mall officials to find a solution.
"I will be redoubling our efforts to see what we can do," Coleman said.
There have been other recent events at the Towson Town Center. Police are still investigating an armed carjacking which happened last week. Police said the victim received medical treatment on scene.
A police spokesperson said "holiday deployment entails an increased police presence. Each Precinct Commander oversees the deployment of their resources. Deployment decisions are data driven and re-evaluated regularly."
While the Towson Town Center does require minors 17 and under be accompanied by a parent or adult, it is not clear if there are any plans to increase security measures around the mall or the parking garage. As of Monday evening, they have not yet responded.
Detectives are urging anyone with additional information about these incidents to contact them at 410-887-2277.