2 teenage girls arrested for Southeast DC robbery attempt, police say

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) -- Two girls were arrested after trying to rob people on Monday morning in Southeast D.C., the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced Tuesday.

MPD officers responded to an attempted robbery shortly after 10 a.m. in the 3400 block of 7th Street SE. There, two people reported they were approached by a group of suspects who demanded their coats and shoes.

They refused and one of the suspects pepper-sprayed one of the victims before fleeing in a car.

DC Fire and EMS treated the pair at the scene.

At around 5 p.m. the same day, MPD officers found the suspects' car and conducted a traffic stop. All four occupants fled, but police were able to stop two of them, including the driver.

A 17-year-old girl was charged with Assault with Intent to Rob and Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle. A 15-year-old girl was charged with Assault with Intent to Rob, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Leaving after Colliding, and No Permit. They were both from Southeast D.C.

Detectives said they linked the 17-year-old to another offense that happened on Oct. 17. MPD responded to an assault at around 2 p.m. that day in the 2900 block of Nelson Place SE.

The victim said he was ambushed by a group of suspects who demanded his property. Two of them struck him with guns and choked him. The victim then removed items from his pocket, but a bystander intervened and made the suspects return his things.

The 17-year-old was additionally charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon for that incident.

Anyone with information about either case is asked to contact MPD at (202) 727-9099 or text the department's tip line at 50411.