Maryland Teen Arrested After 121-Car Burglary Spree Across Four Counties

A 16-year-old from Beltsville, Maryland, was arrested for breaking into more than 100 vehicles across multiple counties in a single night on May 4, with two accomplices also identified. Police found the suspect in possession of keys to a stolen vehicle and keys to 25 other cars, as well as numerous stolen items, indicating a rapid crime spree involving 121 vehicles. Despite being arrested, the teen was released just five hours later by the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, which cited his lack of prior record and the nonviolent nature of the crimes, a decision that Laurel Police Chief Russ Hamill criticized as a failure of the system. The break-ins involved smashing car windows and stealing valuables, with police emphasizing that many vehicles had unlocked doors or visible items inside, making them easy targets. Authorities are working to identify the owners of stolen property and return their belongings, while continuing the investigation and planning community discussions to address the issue. Similar vehicle break-ins have also been reported in other areas such as Alpharetta, Georgia, where 16 vehicles were targeted overnight, highlighting the ongoing problem of opportunistic car burglaries.