CLEVELAND — Police announced Wednesday that four teens have been arrested in connection with a barrage of carjackings in and around Cleveland's west side.
In a press conference held at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center, authorities said the male suspects had all been taken into custody. One is 19-year-old Travon Whetstone, another is 16, and the remaining two are 13. All apparently have ties to local gangs.
According to officials, the crimes were committed at gunpoint and occurred mostly in Cleveland from Nov. 21 through Dec. 6 (one of the five occurred in Lakewood). Although two of the victims were men, the suspects generally targeted the elderly and women, one of whom was on her cell phone at the time of the robbery.
A map of the alleged incidents can be seen below:
It was the last attack that turned out to be the most troubling, as a woman told police she was leaving her boxing class in Ohio City when one of the suspects—believed by investigators to be the 16-year-old—demanded money before sexually assaulting her. He then stole her car (which was later recovered) and cell phone before fleeing.
RELATED: Cleveland Police say woman was sexually assaulted, carjacked after leaving boxing class in Ohio City
"Ohio City is a safe neighborhood," Cleveland City Councilman Kerry McCormack said. "Unfortunately, a small group of people can commit a very heinous and impactful crime."
The county prosecutor's office has made public the indictment against Whetstone, and with firearm specifications added he could face more than 100 years in prison if convicted. The charges are as follows:
- Aggravated robbery (four counts)
- Robbery (eight counts, second-degree felony)
- Robbery (four counts, third degree felony)
- Grand Theft
Other than police stating the 16-year-old is accused of committing the sexual assault, the charges against the remaining suspects are not known at this time. 3News does not normally name juvenile suspects unless they are charged as adults.