Montgomery County police charged a 13-year-old boy in connection with burglaries that also involved two boys, ages 11 and 12, at two Rockville businesses early Tuesday, according to a police statement.
The 13-year-old was charged with two counts of second-degree burglary and conspiracy before he was released to his guardian, police said Tuesday afternoon in the statement.
About 1 a.m. Tuesday, officers responded to the Superior Auto Service, an auto repair shop, at 12298 Wilkins Ave. for the report of a commercial burglary, according to the statement.
The preliminary investigation found that the three juveniles allegedly forced entry into the business, stole property and then left, according to the statement.
While officers were investigating the burglary at Superior Auto Service, officers received a report of a second commercial burglary at RMA Transportation, a transportation company, at 12270 Wilkins Ave., according to the statement.
An investigation found the three boys entered the business, which was closed, and then ran away when confronted by employees who were still in the building, according to the statement.
The three were located in the area with the allegedly stolen property, and all three were transported to the 1st District Station in Rockville.
According to the statement, the 11- and 12-year-old boys were released to their guardians.
Maryland law prohibits children under the age of 13 from being charged with crimes, except for serious violent crimes such as murder, according to the Associated Press. A juvenile law reform package signed into law in May 2024 expanded the jurisdiction of juvenile courts but only to children ages 10 to 12 who are charged with serious offenses such as sex offenses, gun violations, auto theft and animal cruelty, according to CBS Baltimore.
