Indianapolis is currently experiencing a string of armed robberies involving teenagers, which the police are actively investigating this week.
According to police and court records, three teenagers between the ages of 14 to 17 were taken into custody this week for their involvement in three separate armed robberies.
Police apprehended a 14-year-old and an 18-year-old on Wednesday afternoon at the Sterling Apartments located near Madison and Stop 11 after they committed an armed robbery for a pair of tennis shoes.
Yesterday, Lawrence police apprehended a 17-year-old from Gary and a 25-year-old for an armed robbery that took place at the Marathon gas station close to 42nd and Post.
On North College, an armed robbery incident ended up in a shooting causing injury to a man. The authorities apprehended a 17-year-old and a 20-year-old in connection with the crime on the same day.
Some community leaders have pointed out that although the cases are not connected, they do highlight a growing problem, particularly due to the young age of the suspects involved.
According to Reverend Malachi Walker, many teenagers are making poor choices and decisions.
As the 30th annual youth empowerment camp with Young Men Inc. commenced last month, Reverend Walker wasted no time in reminding the kids he mentors to exercise caution and think things through before taking action.
Walker expressed that the community has the potential to become a better place if young men start making wise choices.
Last week, a man reported being carjacked by seven juveniles who were armed with AK-47 style rifles and handguns. The incident occurred at an apartment complex near Washington and 465, and the man claimed that his rental car was also stolen during the robbery.
The affidavit in the case states that a 20-year-old individual was apprehended for the crime, but the remaining underage suspects have yet to be apprehended.
Reverend Walker is urging parents to have candid conversations with their children, warning them about the repercussions of making poor choices. In light of the recent string of crimes, he emphasizes the importance of teaching kids to think twice before acting and to take responsibility for their actions. By doing so, he hopes to prevent future incidents and ensure that children are equipped with the necessary tools to make wise decisions.
Walker stressed the importance of educating young boys and girls on how to make better decisions and choices, as well as informing them of the consequences that come with their actions.
According to Walker, discussing ways to resist peer pressure with children can also serve as a preventative measure against violence.
During our empowerment camp, we conduct several workshops to help the participants build self-awareness and confidence. One of these workshops focuses on resisting peer pressure, which is an essential aspect of personal growth. According to Walker, peer pressure can be fatal, and therefore, it’s crucial to equip our campers with the necessary tools to navigate these situations.
Police attribute their success in locating and apprehending suspects to the use of technology, particularly automated license plate readers.