Washington, D.C. — Two teenage girls were arrested Monday after attempting to rob people in Southeast DC, including pepper-spraying a victim who refused to hand over their belongings, police said.
The incident occurred shortly after 10 a.m. in the 3400 block of 7th Street SE, where two victims reported being approached by a group demanding their coats and shoes. When the victims refused, one of the suspects used pepper spray before fleeing in a car.
Later that day, around 5 p.m., officers located the suspects’ car and conducted a traffic stop. All four occupants fled on foot, but police detained two of them, a 17-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl, both from Southeast DC. The 17-year-old faces charges of Assault with Intent to Rob and Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, while the 15-year-old faces additional charges, including Leaving after Colliding and No Permit.
Detectives also tied the 17-year-old to a violent October 17 assault in the 2900 block of Nelson Place SE, where a group of suspects ambushed a man, beat him with guns, and attempted to rob him. The 17-year-old has been charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in connection with that incident.
Anyone with information about these cases is encouraged to contact police at (202) 727-9099 or text tips to 50411.