A 16-year-old Maryland boy accused of breaking into 121 vehicles in a single night was released just hours after his arrest, causing frustration among local law enforcement and residents.
The crime spree took place on May 4 in neighborhoods across Laurel, Prince George’s County, and Howard County. The teen, along with two other suspects, allegedly used a stolen car to move between locations, smashing windows and stealing valuables.
Police recovered stolen property, including dozens of car keys, credit cards, and other items from the teen’s home during a search. Despite the scale of the damage and theft, he was released within five hours due to being a first-time offender and the crimes being classified as non-violent.
Law enforcement officials expressed disappointment, arguing that the decision to release the teen sends the wrong message and puts communities at risk. To complicate matters, 17 more car break-ins were reported the next night in the same area.
Investigators say arrests of the other two suspects are pending, and the case has reignited public debate over juvenile justice reforms and how to handle repeat patterns of serious but non-violent crime.