Latest news with #RussHamill
Toronto Sun
2 days ago
- Toronto Sun
‘BROKEN SYSTEM': Maryland teen released after allegedly breaking into 121 cars in one night
Surveillance footage showing suspect breaking into vehicle in Laurel, Maryland. Photo by WRC A teen boy in Maryland arrested for allegedly breaking into 121 cars in a single night was ordered to be released — then more than a dozen more vehicles were looted the next day. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The 16-year-old was detained on Wednesday in connection with a spate of vehicle break-ins that were reported on May 4, WRC reported. The suspect and two other teens allegedly smashed car windows and stole items from 54 cars in Laurel, Maryland, and 67 more in three neighbouring counties — all in a single night. Surveillance footage from across the area captured the trio driving around in a stolen car and smashing open the windows of random vehicles they came across. 'They were just simply going through neighbourhoods and targets of opportunity, breaking into cars,' Laurel Police Chief Russ Hamill told the outlet. 'If there was something in there, they'd steal,' he said. 'If there was nothing in there, they'd move to another car.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Investigators obtained a search warrant to the suspect's home and found keys to the stolen car and to 25 other vehicle, along with other stolen items that 'managed to link him to all 121 events throughout the region,' Hamill said in a news conference on Wednesday. 'I would like to tell you that's the end of the story there. But that's not the end of the story,' Hamill continued. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Laurel Police and the Maryland State Attorney's office requested that the teen remain in the juvenile detention centre due to the sheer volume of alleged crimes but he was released due to his clean record, and the crime he is accused of aren't violent, Hamill detailed. 'Yes, five hours after we were at his house, he was released back into the community, back into the environment that allowed him to be out roaming the streets in all of these counties, late at night and in the early morning, doing these crimes to begin with,' he added. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The night of his release, another flurry of vehicles were broken into — but Hamill did not specify if the teen suspect and his gang were involved. 'We're not gonna lay every theft from auto in the region on him and his group, but I will note we had 17 the next night,' he noted. Read More The teen's alleged accomplices have been identified and Hamill said he expects them to be arrested soon. The trio faces charges of multiple thefts from automobiles, and motor vehicle theft, the outlet reported. However, Hamill admitted he has 'little hope' that they will be held accountable 'due to this broken system.' 'We don't do this lightly. We don't ask for young people to be held on a whim. We do so to help protect the community and them.' Crime World Toronto & GTA World Toronto Raptors
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Maryland police frustrated after teen accused in more than 100 car break-ins released within hours of arrest
A Maryland teen who allegedly broke into 121 cars in a single night was released within five hours of his arrest and local authorities say they are furious because the state considers the crimes to be "lower level," so consequences are not expected. The unidentified 16-year-old boy was arrested last week by the Laurel Police Department after it received multiple reports of break-ins on May 4. The crimes took place in Laurel and nearby Howard County. Surveillance footage captured three teens roving around in a stolen car and smashing the windows of vehicles they came across, police said. "I have little hope there will be further accountability for him due to this broken system," Laurel Police Chief Russ Hamill told reporters. "Due to this gap in concern for his safety, and the public's safety." American Car Thefts Surge As Teenage Bandits, International Crime Rings Ship Stolen Vehicles Overseas Fox News Digital has reached out to the police department. Read On The Fox News App At the teen suspect's home, authorities found nearly 20 sets of car keys, credit cards, and other evidence that linked him to the car break-ins, Hamill said. Since the teen didn't have a criminal record, the state Department of Juvenile Services characterized the offenses as lower-level crimes and allowed him to be released, Hamill said. "I would offer well over 100 cases in one night, gives you a pretty good record," Hamill said. "These were not violent crimes, as if that lessens the impact on those 121 victims." Career Criminal, 31, Arrested For 35Th Time — See His List Of Offenses "Yes, five hours after we were at his house, he was released back into the community, back into the environment that allowed him to be out roaming the streets in all of these counties, late at night and in the early morning, doing these crimes to begin with," he added. Two other teens have been identified as the suspect's accomplices, Hamill said, adding that they were expected to be arrested soon. "People need to be held accountable for this," he said. The night after the teen was released, there were reports of 17 car break-ins, Hamill said, though he stopped short of blaming them on the suspect. "We're not going to lay every theft from auto in the region on him and his group, but I will note we had 17 the next night," Hamill article source: Maryland police frustrated after teen accused in more than 100 car break-ins released within hours of arrest
Fox News
2 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Maryland police frustrated after teen accused in more than 100 car break-ins released within hours of arrest
A Maryland teen who allegedly broke into 121 cars in a single night was released within five hours of his arrest and local authorities say they are furious because the state considers the crimes to be "lower level," so consequences are not expected. The unidentified 16-year-old boy was arrested last week by the Laurel Police Department after it received multiple reports of break-ins on May 4. The crimes took place in Laurel and nearby Howard County. Surveillance footage captured three teens roving around in a stolen car and smashing the windows of vehicles they came across, police said. "I have little hope there will be further accountability for him due to this broken system," Laurel Police Chief Russ Hamill told reporters. "Due to this gap in concern for his safety, and the public's safety." Fox News Digital has reached out to the police department. At the teen suspect's home, authorities found nearly 20 sets of car keys, credit cards, and other evidence that linked him to the car break-ins, Hamill said. Since the teen didn't have a criminal record, the state Department of Juvenile Services characterized the offenses as lower-level crimes and allowed him to be released, Hamill said. "I would offer well over 100 cases in one night, gives you a pretty good record," Hamill said. "These were not violent crimes, as if that lessens the impact on those 121 victims." "Yes, five hours after we were at his house, he was released back into the community, back into the environment that allowed him to be out roaming the streets in all of these counties, late at night and in the early morning, doing these crimes to begin with," he added. Two other teens have been identified as the suspect's accomplices, Hamill said, adding that they were expected to be arrested soon. "People need to be held accountable for this," he said. The night after the teen was released, there were reports of 17 car break-ins, Hamill said, though he stopped short of blaming them on the suspect. "We're not going to lay every theft from auto in the region on him and his group, but I will note we had 17 the next night," Hamill said.
CBS News
3 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Teen arrested for more than 100 thefts from cars in Maryland
A 16-year-old was arrested for more than 100 cases of theft from cars in multiple Maryland counties, according to Laurel Police. Police said the teen was taken into custody during a search of his Beltsville home. 100+ thefts from cars in Maryland According to officers, the 16-year-old was linked to nearly 121 thefts from cars that occurred on May 4 in the Laurel area. He was found with the keys to a stolen car that was used in the crimes, along with keys to 25 other vehicles and other stolen items. Teen released after arrest During a news conference on Wednesday, May 28, Laurel Police Chief Russ Hamill said officers requested the teen be held due to the extensive crimes. However, the state Department of Juvenile Services advised that the teen be released as he did not have a criminal record and these were not violent crimes, according to Hamill. "So yes, five hours after we were at his house, he was released back into the community," Chief Hamill said. "Back into the environment that allowed him to be out roaming the streets in all of these counties late at night and in the early morning, doing these crimes to begin with." Hamill went on to express his frustration with the juvenile justice system in Maryland. "I have little hope there will be further accountability for him due to this broken system, due to this gap in the concern for his safety and the public safety," Hamill said. During the Wednesday press conference, police said they identified two other suspects in the thefts, and they would be taking them into custody. Decrease in Howard County car break-ins Despite the teen's alleged thefts, Howard County recorded a 25% dip in car break-ins so far in 2025. On April 12, police said 193 car break-ins had been reported compared to 260 during the same time in 2024. "Occasionally, one person or a group of people will be active for a period of time and hit many vehicles – which is why it may seem as though there's an increase," Howard County Police Public Information Officer Seth Hoffman told WJZ in April.
