Boy, 12, Accused Of Breaking Into Multiple MoCo Car Dealerships

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — A 12-year-old boy is accused of breaking into multiple Bethesda and Rockville car dealerships, according to police. He also stole a car on at least one occasion, authorities said.

Montgomery County police said the most recent break-in happened Tuesday between 6:20 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. According to police, the boy entered a business in the 12100 block of Parklawn Drive, stole a vehicle, and fled the scene.

Around 11:30 p.m., police spotted the stolen vehicle and stopped it near University Boulevard and Franklin Avenue.

The boy was apprehended and returned to his parents, authorities said.

According to police, the boy is also accused of six other burglaries involving BMW, Audi, Porsche and Jaguar dealerships. A majority of the break-ins happened last month, while another happened Monday.

The boy will not face charges due to a Maryland juvenile justice reform law passed in 2022. Under the legislation, children under the age of 13 cannot be charged with property crimes.

“The system we are stuck in now has allowed these repeated occasions to occur,” Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy told NBC Washington.

According to the report, state legislators passed a revised juvenile justice bill earlier this year that will go into effect on Nov. 1. The bill broadens consequences for 10 to 12-year-olds who commit crimes, expands probation, creates diversion programs and outlines when prosecutors can review some types of juvenile cases.