4 Children, Ages 11 To 13, Attempt Carjacking In Montco: Police

UPPER MERION, PA — Four children, all between the ages of 11 and 13, attempted a carjacking in Upper Merion this week, terrorizing an elderly woman and attacking her husband, police said.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, June 18 at around 7:15 p.m. at the Wawa located on 145 W. DeKalb Pike.

The couple pulled up to the gas station to refuel their vehicle, and while it was refueling the husband went inside the store, officials said.

That's when one of the children came up to the car, banging on the door and telling the 66-year-old woman inside that fuel was leaking out of it, according to police.

When the woman told the boy that there was no leak, he began screaming curses at her and demanding she get out, officials said.

The three other children then approached the other side of the vehicle, opening the door and trying to steal her phone before she was able to honk the horn and get the attention of others nearby.

The children fled to the back of the parking lot, where the husband confronted them and asked them why they were harassing his wife, officials said. Police said that's when one of them punched him in the neck before fleeing the area.

Police tracked the children to the intersection of Route 202 and Saulin Boulevard, where three were immediately arrested and a fourth was captured after briefly fleeing into the woods near Prince Frederick Boulevard, according to authorities.

Upper Merion police believe the same children may have been involved in a retail theft at the King of Prussia Mall earlier in the day on June 18, and another theft incident at the same Wawa on June 17.

They were charged with robbery of a motor vehicle, simple assault, and related counts. All four were booked at the Montgomery County Youth Detention Facility. Preliminary hearings are forthcoming.