WASHINGTON, D.C. — A fast-moving string of headphone thefts in Northeast D.C. ended Wednesday evening with the arrests of three juveniles after a coordinated search effort involving aerial support.
Just before 6 p.m., a group of teens allegedly carried out a series of snatch-and-run robberies along the Metropolitan Branch Trail. Within 10 minutes, victims were targeted across four blocks, from Florida Avenue to 4th Street NE.
Witness reports and surveillance efforts led officers, aided by the police helicopter Falcon One, to locate multiple suspects in the area. Police recovered stolen items believed to have been taken during the spree.
The robberies occurred at approximately 5:47 p.m. in the 100 block of Florida Avenue NE, 5:53 p.m. in the 200 block of R Street NE, 5:55 p.m. in the 400 block of V Street NE, and 5:56 p.m. in the 1800 block of 4th Street NE.
As a result of the investigation, three teens — ages 13, 15, and 17 — from Northeast D.C. were arrested and charged with four counts each of robbery (snatch).
The crime spree along the trail was brought to a swift end with support from both the ground and air, and stolen property was recovered during the arrests.