Baltimore Police: Teen With 12 Arrests Released on Home Monitoring by DJS

Three juveniles charged with 13 commercial burglaries across Baltimore, including a break-in at Hampden Tobacco in the city's Hampden neighborhood, were released on electronic monitoring after Baltimore City Police disclosed a combined 12 prior arrests between two of them. The case prompted FOX Baltimore to press the Department of Juvenile Services for answers on how repeat offenders continue to qualify for community supervision instead of secure detention.

Baltimore Police said the suspects, two 16-year-old males and one 14-year-old male, were taken into custody in connection with the burglary spree. One juvenile was detained; DJS released the other two on home monitoring. The 12 prior arrests were shared between the 14-year-old and one of the 16-year-olds.

"When they're caught they're released on monitoring, but whatever monitoring they're supposedly not able to track their location in real time and determine whether they're compliant with the conditions of their release," said Jason Johnson, a former Baltimore Police Deputy Commissioner and law enforcement expert. "Something really needs to give when it comes to the system of accountability for juveniles. It's just not working."

DJS's own data supports that assessment. Figures the agency provided to FOX45 show nearly 20% of youth under GPS monitoring reoffend or miss court appearances. The number of juveniles under that supervision climbed 22% in one year, from 223 to 274 statewide, with only 63 DJS staff members assigned to watch over them.

Under state protocol, DJS uses the Detention Risk Assessment Instrument, an independently validated tool, to evaluate law enforcement detention requests. A juvenile court judge holds final authority over release conditions. The agency declined to address the specific burglary case, citing confidentiality.

The accountability gap has a recent record. In June 2025, a 14-year-old wearing an ankle monitor was linked to armed robbery and carjacking. The following month, a 13-year-old with 18 prior felony arrests carried out a carjacking series while under GPS supervision.

With 274 youth to supervise and 63 staff to do it, the arithmetic behind Baltimore's home monitoring program grows harder to defend each time another repeat offender turns up at a crime scene still wearing a monitor.