BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Baltimore Police said two juveniles arrested for having a loaded handgun at the Inner Harbor have prior criminal histories.
According to the Baltimore Police Department, just before 8:30 p.m. on June 15 officers responded to reports of armed individuals in the 300 block of Light Street.
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Following a brief foot pursuit, officers arrested two 16-year-old boys and seized a loaded handgun, BPD said.
Investigators said the officers transported the suspects to juvenile booking where both were charged with handgun violations.
Baltimore Police also revealed both juveniles have prior robbery arrests.
Law enforcement expert Jason Johnson said given their criminal histories it’s possible the juveniles were looking to commit more crime.
“You have a couple of 16-year-olds with a history of robbery that were out in an area where a lot of tourists frequent with guns,” Johnson said. “My guess would be they were probably looking to commit another robbery.”
The arrests come as juvenile justice remains top of mine and concern across the state and in Baltimore.
Just last month, the governor signed into law a controversial Youth Charging Reform Act, which reduces the number of offenses for which juveniles can automatically face adult charges.
The law, which goes into effect October 1, was met with push back from prosecutors in Maryland, including Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates.
During a recent town hall, Bates said he feared less juveniles would be held accountable, and cited resources as being an issue.
Johnson agrees.
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“We see many cases where youthful offenders are involved in serious crimes and it’s not being taken seriously,” Johnson said. “The conditions of their release allow them to continue to re-offend almost immediately, and instead of working to address that problem, the legislature is going in the other direction.”
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