Man Charged In Robbery Of 4 Teens At Towson Town Center: Police

TOWSON, MD – Baltimore County Police have obtained an arrest warrant for a man suspected of robbing four teenagers outside the Towson Town Center last week.

Seneca Rice, 34, is charged with four counts of robbery, one count of second-degree assault and various theft charges, police said on Tuesday. Rice is being held custody in Baltimore City on unrelated charges and a detainer will be issued until Baltimore City Police has concluded its investigation.

The four teens reported to police that they were leaving the Towson Town Center around 6:30 p.m. on July 9 when a man grabbed one of them and pulled the teen backward. The man, who was later identified by witnesses as Rice, then demanded the shopping bags the teenagers had as well as their belongings, police were told.

One of the victims reported seeing a knife in the man's waistband. After seeing the knife, the teens handed over their shopping bags, along with three cell phones, three wallets and one teen's mouth retainer, police indicated.

A police spokeswoman told The Baltimore Sun on Monday that the teenagers told police they were targeted for their religious beliefs. According to the newspaper report, the man characterized the group as "dirty Jews" and stole one victim's cotton kippah, a cap that is traditionally worn by Jewish males.

Police said Tuesday that detectives were able to interview witnesses and gather evidence that led them to identifying suspect Rice. Detectives shared this information with Baltimore City and they advised that he was already on custody on other charges.

The robbery remains under investigation, police said.