10 D.C. Teens Accused in Carjacking Ring, Officials Say It Was Like ‘Grand Theft Auto’

Ten teenagers face prices for a sequence of carjackings in Washington, D.C., reflecting a notable enhance in such crimes, as acknowledged by regulation enforcement.

Based on U.S. Lawyer Matthew Graves, the kids, charged as adults, are suspected of involvement in two separate carjacking rings in D.C. They’re accused of a minimum of 15 automobile thefts and reportedly utilizing firearms to intimidate victims.

Graves acknowledged that the costs mark essentially the most important federal carjacking arrest in D.C. this yr.

He mentioned the costs have been a “serious response to show people that this is not a game. This is the real world, and there will be real-world consequences.”

The youngsters allegedly had a gaggle chat “discussing some of the carjackings covered by these indictments,” Graves mentioned Monday, including, “One defendant wrote ‘GTA IRL,’ which we allege means ‘Grand Theft Auto‘ in real life.”

As of this yr, officers say carjackings in Washington, D.C., have surged, reaching 932, with 77% involving weapons. Nevertheless, solely 167 individuals have been arrested, and 62% are juveniles.

On Monday, one of many teenagers was charged with allegedly capturing a ride-share driver a number of occasions throughout a carjacking try.

Fortuitously, the sufferer survived the assault.

A few of the teenagers charged allegedly labored collectively to focus on varied victims, together with a dentist, a mom with youngsters close to a college, and an aged couple of their driveway, in accordance with officers.

“What we want to say very loudly and very clearly … is it is a really big deal, and it will be prosecuted as such,” Graves mentioned.