4 teens charged in downtown Charleston carjackings

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Authorities arrested four teenagers in connection with at least two downtown carjackings.

Police say individuals were robbed at gunpoint while exiting their vehicles on Cypress Street the night of September 17 in the first incident. The second happened on Meeting Street just days later.

In both cases, police said the suspects stole the victims’ cars and some of their personal belongings. The vehicles have since been recovered.

Teens involved in the Cypress Street carjacking were aged 13 and 14. Both then joined a 15-year-old and 16-year-old in committing the Meeting Street carjackings, police said.

The 13-year-old and 14-year-old have been charged with two counts of carjacking, two counts of armed robbery, and two counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

“Detectives also determined that these individuals broke into a car on Congress Street about an hour before the Cypress Street carjacking, leading to additional charges of breaking into a motor vehicle,” officials said.

The 16-year-old suspect was involved in the Meeting Street carjacking and has been charged with carjacking, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.

The 15-year-old suspect has also been charged with carjacking, armed robbery, and conspiracy to commit armed robbery for their role in the Meeting Street carjacking.

Police said the teens were placed in custody at the Department of Juvenile Justice. The investigation is ongoing.