A 13-year-old boy has been arrested for allegedly breaking into multiple homes in the Detroit area and targeting young girls. One of the most shocking incidents happened when he reportedly choked a 10-year-old girl inside her bedroom.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, the teen is linked to a series of home invasions that may have started in 2022. His most recent break-in happened last week.
The suspect, who was wearing a mask and armed with a knife, entered a Pontiac home around 4 a.m. on February 4 through an unlocked window. He then attacked a sleeping 10-year-old girl by choking her. The girl screamed, waking her mother, who rushed into the room and saw the intruder before he ran away.
Sheriff Michael Bouchard emphasized the urgency of catching the suspect, saying, “An intruder who breaks into homes at night, armed with a knife, and targets young girls is someone who needs to be taken off the streets.”
Authorities shared an image of the suspect, and a community member recognized him, leading to his arrest on Thursday. Initially, investigators thought the suspect was between 17 and 21 years old, making his young age surprising.
Police believe the teen was involved in at least 11 attempted or successful break-ins in both Pontiac and Detroit. Residents were urged to keep their doors and windows locked while the suspect was on the loose.
“He was specifically targeting homes where young girls lived. It’s a terrifying thought, even for adults, let alone children,” Bouchard said in an interview with the Detroit News.
The boy’s parents are cooperating with authorities, and he is currently being held at a county juvenile detention center. Officials are still determining what charges he will face.
This case has left the local community deeply unsettled, and police continue to investigate whether there were additional victims or break-ins. Meanwhile, neighbors remain on high alert, ensuring their homes are secure from similar incidents.
