13-year-old arrested and charged with carjacking – NBC4 Washington

A 13-year-old boy faces charges for his role in a carjacking in Northeast D.C.

The crime took place Tuesday in the parking lot of a Home Depot on Rhode Island Avenue in the District. Police said they arrested one of the suspects, aged 13, shortly after.

The victim of the crime is Wasif Chaudhry, a Maryland man, husband and father of two children. He's still in disbelief, especially after learning that one of the suspects is so young.

“Wasting your life for nothing,” Chaudhry said.

Chaudhry said he had no idea when he left his home in his Hyundai Elantra that his day would end with that car being confiscated as evidence a few hours later.

“It took me a while to understand what was happening,” he said.

Chaudhry was making a quick stop for work just after 6 p.m. when things took a dangerous turn. At first he thought it was a joke.

“They say, 'Get out of the car before we shoot you and kill you,'” he said. “When I saw their faces, they were little kids and at first I was like 'wait, what are you talking about?'”

Chaudhry handed over the keys while a witness called police. The suspects fled in his car, but did not get far. the cops stored them about two miles away on First near Randolph Street Northwest. One of the suspects fled and the 13-year-old was placed under arrest.

Police took Chaudhry to the scene to identify the carjacker.

“They wore a hoodie but no mask, right?” Chaudhry said. “But seeing them later, one of them made me realize that they were actually younger than I thought.”

As the teen waits to learn his fate, Chaudhry said he is conflicted.

“What am I supposed to do? I have kids at home, right? One is barely, she'll be five months in two days, the other will be three in August,” said Chaudhry. “And my children? But then, you know that it’s also someone’s child, right?

Chaudhry said he is grateful to have returned home safely and he hopes the teen suspect gets the help he needs through a rehabilitation program.

He had this message for parents at the DMV:

“Life is precious. Please take care of your children. I mean, sometimes they need help, but they just don't know how to say it.

Police will not release the 13-year-old suspect's name because he is a minor, but News4 understands he is accused of unarmed carjacking.

If you know anything that can help with this investigation, call the Metropolitan Police.