Police arrest 9 suspects ranging from 12 to 18 years old in connection to downtown assault

BALTIMORE -- (WBFF) -- Baltimore City Police made nine arrests after a video surfaced of an alleged assault by a group of youth in downtown Baltimore that happened around 5 p.m. Tuesday.

TJ Smith, media relations chief, called the actions of the group “brazen.” He said the arrestees, who reportedly assaulted and robbed a man of his phone on Baltimore St., were as young as 12 years old and as old as 18 years old. One was in elementary school.

Police arrested a 14-year-old boy, 16-year-old boy, 14-year-old boy, 12-year-old boy, 14-year-old boy, 16-year-old boy, 13-year-old girl, all from Baltimore City, and a 13-year-old boy from Baltimore County, plus 18-year-old Derell Smith, of Baltimore. They are each charged with unarmed robbery and second-degree assault.

Smith emphasized that this is not believed to be connected to any gang activity but questioned why a 12-year-old would be hanging out with an 18-year-old, who is believed to be the "ringleader." Smith also said police think some of those involved are responsible for a series of assaults last month.

Smith added that he hopes these arrests can be used as a teachable moment for young people not to "follow the crowd."