Five suspects, aged 17 to 21, were apprehended by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office after impersonating a woman on a social media dating platform to commit robberies.
This week’s arrests are linked to various armed robberies, starting from Tuesday, April 9. The apprehended individuals include Darius Lerenzo Mearis, 21, of White Plains, Justin Amari Banks, 18, and Jerrell Maurice Grey, 20, both from Waldorf, along with two 17-year-olds also from Waldorf.
The group reportedly used fake female profiles on social media to arrange meetings with victims near the Amberleaf Place area, where they then robbed them at gunpoint, subjected them to assaults, and stole their money.
Investigations revealed that the profile of the woman changed with each incident. As a result of the investigation, search warrants were executed at six residences, leading to the confiscation of four handguns and other evidence implicating the suspects in the armed robberies.
During the execution of the search warrants, multiple suspects were arrested. Notably, one 17-year-old was intercepted on the way to St. Charles High School with a “ghost gun” containing an extended 30-round magazine.
The juvenile suspects are facing trial as adults. All five apprehended individuals face charges including robbery, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, illegal possession of a firearm, and related offenses. Presently, they are in custody without bond at the Charles County Detention Center, while the investigation remains ongoing.