GAITHERSBURG, MD – Two teens have been arrested and charged after setting up a meeting with a victim trying to sell his motorcycle on social media with the intent to steal the motorcycle.
According to police, on Thursday, at approximately 6:50 p.m., 6th District officers responded to the 400 block of West Side Drive for an armed carjacking of a motorcycle that had just occurred. During the investigation, officers learned that the victim had posted a red 2014 Honda CRF motorcycle for sale on a social media platform.
“One of the suspects, later identified as 19-year-old Martir Ismar Mejia of Washington, DC, contacted the victim about buying the motorcycle,” detectives reported. “They agreed to meet at the West Side Drive address. Mejia arrived in a silver Kia Optima, driven by a 16-year-old. Mejia asked to take the motorcycle for a test drive, and when the victim asked Mejia for his car keys as collateral, Mejia displayed a handgun and pointed it at the victim. He then rode away on the motorcycle, with the 16-year-old following in the Kia.”
After calling 911, police began searching the area and located Mejia on the stolen motorcycle near West Deer Park and Cedar Lane. While trying to elude police, he crashed into an unmarked police cruiser and attempted to flee on foot.
He was subsequently arrested and police found a loaded Ruger 5.7 caliber handgun was found in Mejia’s possession during the arrest.
During their investigation, officers located the silver Kia on Lost Knife Road, and the 16-year-old was arrested without incident. Both Mejia and the 16-year-old were transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing unit and charged with Armed Carjacking, First-degree Assault, Armed Robbery, Use of a Handgun in a Crime of Violence, and Conspiracy to commit each.