Three juveniles escaped from a contracted DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) facility located in Pennsylvania Sunday evening, robbing and shooting one man on the Hill before they were spotted on H Street NE and chased across the river.
Officials in Pennsylvania told Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) that after they got out on May 18, the teens stole a red 2016 Land Rover SUV with Pennsylvania license plates. Detectives determined they headed back to DC, so a lookout was issued to MPD districts for the stolen vehicle and the suspects.
Police say they used the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), tracking the vehicle’s license plate in MPD’s License Plate Reader (LPR) systems.
At approximately 10:49 p.m. Sunday, officers were called to the 700 block of Eighth Street NE, just south of H Street, for the report of a shooting. Officers found a man with a gunshot wound who told them he had been robbed.
DC Fire and EMS transported the victim to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspects were reported to be in a red SUV, and the LPR data from RTCC cameras confirmed the red Land Rover with Pennsylvania tags was involved in the robbery and shooting.
A short time later, a First District officer spotted the same SUV traveling eastbound in the 1100 block of H Street NE. MPD put their helicopter in the air and quickly found the vehicle.
While under aerial surveillance, five suspects bailed out of the SUV and fled on foot. Two of them re-entered the vehicle and drove off. Officers caught one of the remaining suspects and recovered an AR-15-style rifle nearby.
A few minutes after that, around 11:15 p.m., another officer spotted the red SUV traveling on Alabama Avenue SE. Because it was apparently involved in a violent crime, a vehicle pursuit was authorized. The MPD helicopter followed the SUV until it stopped near Minnesota Avenue and T Street SE, where the remaining suspects bailed out.
Two additional suspects were located and taken into custody.
The three arrestees were charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun), Robbery, and other related firearm offenses.
Only one of those arrested is a DYRS absconder. MPD continues to search for the two remaining absconders.
“Thanks to the quick coordination between our Real Time Crime Center, responding patrol officers, and Falcon 1, we were able to locate the suspects, recover a dangerous firearm, and make multiple arrests,” said Chief Pamela A. Smith in a press release. “MPD will continue working to hold violent offenders able for their actions in our city.”
Police are still looking for the other suspects. Anyone with information about this case is asked to the Metropolitan Police Department at (202) 727-9099 or text the department’s tip line at 50411.
