Police Arrest 11-year-old Following a Month-long Crime Spree That Included Car Thefts and Shootings

Albuquerque, New Mexico, police arrested a preteen on Thursday after he allegedly terrorized residents for a month with burglaries, auto thefts, and shootings.

Albuquerque Police Department Chief Harold Medina expressed disappointment that an 11-year-old had been detained for crimes ranging from burglary to shooting a handgun.

“But this armed individual’s behavior was escalating, and he was a danger to the community,” Medina stated. “We need to address the poisonous combination of guns and social media. “Children need consequences.”

According to local reports, the boy, whose identity has not been released due to his age, is facing several charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy, shooting at or from a motor vehicle, shooting into an occupied dwelling, aggravated battery, unlawful passion of a weapon by a minor, non-residential burglary, criminal damage to property over $1,000, and conspiracy to commit a fourth-degree crime.

The criminal spree began on May 5, when a Kia Forte was taken in northeast Albuquerque. A week later, a woman complained that four teenagers had thrown rocks at her home’s windows, hitting her leg. That same day, a 12-year-old called the police to report that a group of youths known as the “Kia Boyz” were hurling rocks at her home and attempting to break in.

On May 17, Albuquerque police responded to a commercial burglary in which a witness saw a stolen vehicle crash into the door of a store, causing $15,000 in damage.

On May 29, a man called police and said that he had been fired at by four juveniles in a blue Kia after telling them to leave the front of his house, where they were parked.

Last week, Albuquerque police were notified of a guy who had been shot in the hand on General Chennault St. A firearm was later found at the scene.