MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two teenagers are accused of aggravated robbery and car theft after a string of driveway robberies in Whitehaven.
Memphis Police confirm a 17-year-old is facing five counts of aggravated robbery, five counts of aggravated assault, two counts of theft of property for alleged car theft, and one count of evading arrest.
Police said a 16-year-old is facing one count of aggravated robbery and one count of theft of property for an alleged car theft.
Police found the 17-year-old when they spotted a stolen Chevy Malibu on Brentwood Friday. The teenager reportedly tried to run away, but police caught him. Officers said he had a tattoo on his right hand, between his finger and thumb, that helped connect him to several driveway robberies.
Two of the robberies happened on Oakwood Drive.
WREG spoke with a woman, who didn’t want to be identified. She said the teenager approached her in her driveway on her way into her home.
She said her mother-in-law yelled at him from the doorway, startling him. At that moment, the victim said she noticed the suspect’s gun, so she threw her purse. He then grabbed it and took off for a getaway car that was waiting for him.
“It was just crazy, because it has really terrified me to the point where you’re not even safe coming in your own driveway,” the woman said.
She said she never noticed a tattoo on his hand, but recognized the teenager in a photograph detectives showed her.
She said she’s taking extra steps to secure her home with security lights and cameras. She said the teenager only got away with $60 and a couple credit cards, which she immediately canceled.
Police reports show in the other robberies, the thief asked victims for the PIN for ATM cards.
Police said the 16-year-old was involved in a car theft and the robbery of one individual. Still, investigators believe he could have been involved in the other incidents and more charges are possible.
