MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Several juveniles face serious charges in connection to crimes across Memphis targeting Kias and Hyundais.
Memphis Police said four children, ranging from 12 to 15 years old, are connected to a string of crimes over the last few months involving vehicles. The main targets were Kia Fortes, Hyundai Sonatas, and Kia Optimas.
According to one police report, the teens allegedly carjacked a woman while loading groceries into her vehicle.
One woman, who doesn’t want to be identified, said she witnessed the moment a group of teens carjacked a woman at gunpoint at a shopping center on Spottswood Avenue last week.
“That was their target. They waited on her to come out, and they attacked the lady,” she said.
According to the police report, the 67-year-old victim saw someone in a black Hyundai with their head down on the steering wheel.
The victim said another suspect suddenly approached her with a gun, placed the muzzle to her chest, and demanded her keys. The suspects got away in her car, leaving her uninjured.
However, MPD spotted the suspects hours later.
Police said they tried to make a traffic stop but the suspects fled, leading officers on a lengthy pursuit. The chase ended in this neighborhood on Flamingo Drive where the suspects reportedly wrecked the stolen vehicle and scattered.
MPD said several teens were taken into custody.
Other incidents involve vehicle thefts and burglaries. Due to their ages, the reports do not detail who was involved in what crime.
A 15-year-old boy is charged with nine counts of theft of property $10,000-$60,000 to wit auto theft, one count of theft of property $2,500-$10,000 to wit auto theft, criminal attempt auto theft to wit $2,500-$10,000, carjacking, attempted aggravated robbery, reckless endangerment, and employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.
Another 15-year-old boy is charged with theft of property $10,000-$60,000 to wit auto theft, theft of property $2,500-$10,000 to wit auto theft, two counts of carjacking, aggravated robbery, two counts of attempted aggravated robbery, reckless endangerment, and two counts of employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.
A 14-year-old boy is charged with 13 counts of theft of property $10,000-$60,000 to wit auto theft, two counts of theft of property $2,500-$10,000 to wit auto theft, aggravated robbery, two counts of carjacking, two counts of attempted aggravated robbery, reckless endangerment, and two counts of employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.
A 12-year-old boy is charged with nine counts of theft of property $10,000-$60,000 to wit auto theft, one count of theft of property $2,500-$10,000 to wit auto theft, criminal attempt auto theft to wit $2,500-$10,000, carjacking, attempted aggravated robbery, reckless endangerment, and employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.
All four suspects are being held in juvenile court.
Upon reviewing the reports, we also noticed several other people of various ages mentioned by police as suspects. If you happen to have any information that could help officers, you’re encouraged to contact CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.
