14-year-old boy given ‘many second chances’ suspected of dozens of crimes, Cleveland officials say

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - A 14-year-old boy who was given "many second chances" after being arrested multiple times before is suspected of wreaking havoc in the community with dozens of recent crimes, and Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said he is fed up.

The Cleveland Division of Police said the 14-year-old boy suspected of an aggravated robbery on Halloween was arrested by officers from the third and second districts on Nov. 11.

Detectives found the teenage suspect in a recently stolen car while investigating the aggravated robbery, stated Cleveland Division of Police Public Information Officer Sgt. Wilfredo Diaz.

When officers tried to stop the stolen car, the driver refused and led officers in a pursuit, according to Diaz.

The car was later found unoccupied in a parking lot on Kenmore Avenue, Diaz said, and the suspects were believed to be in a nearby home.

Detectives got consent to enter the home and found the 14-year-old suspect, along with a 13 and 17-year-old boy, said Diaz.

All three teens were taken into custody without incident, stated Diaz, and two firearms were recovered from the scene.

Diaz stated the preliminary investigation suggests the 14-year-old boy is "suspected to be involved in dozens of crimes," including:

grand theft of motor vehicles

motor vehicle trespass (car break-ins)

aggravated robberies

This same teen has already been arrested multiple times before for similar crimes, according to Diaz.

All crimes are under investigation and charges are forthcoming, Diaz said.

Diaz stated the 14-year-old is believed to be responsible for additional incidents, so the Cleveland Division of Police urges anyone with video of car break-ins from the east side of downtown to East 55th Street that happened between Oct. 1 - Nov. 12 to email them to Videos must include a previously filed police report number.

On top of being arrested for the aggravated robbery on Oct. 31, the 14-year-old boy also faces new charges for the Nov. 11 incident, Diaz continued:

receiving stolen property

carrying concealed weapon

fleeing and eluding

The other two teens that were arrested on Nov. 11 face their own charges, according to Diaz.

The 13-year-old boy was already wanted on a previous warrant for felonious assault, Diaz stated.

Diaz said he is now also charged with these offenses in relation to the incident on Nov. 11:

failure to comply

weapons violations

The 17-year-old boy was also arrested in connection to the aggravated robbery on Halloween, according to Diaz.

"This successful operation underscores the effective collaboration between the Cleveland Police Second District Violent Crime Reduction Team, Cleveland Police K9 Unit, Third District patrol, and detectives, contributing significantly to efforts to reduce motor vehicle crimes in the downtown area," Diaz shared.