News Summary
Tia Hamilton, owner of the DiGi Business Center in North Baltimore, expresses concerns over repeated burglaries from a suspected juvenile. Despite losing $1,200, she prefers to offer help rather than punishment. The rise in juvenile crime raises alarms for community safety as local police seek solutions.
North Baltimore is facing growing concerns over juvenile crime as Tia Hamilton, the owner of the DiGi Business Center, reveals her store has been targeted by the same burglar three times this year. Each break-in has occurred in the early morning hours, primarily focused on stealing from the cash register, amounting to approximately $1,200 in total losses.
The DiGi Business Center plays a vital role in the community, offering essential services such as notary services, faxing, mailing, shipping for FedEx, post office services, and functioning as an Amazon hub for package pickup. Hamilton expressed her shock at being targeted repeatedly, stating that she had never experienced a robbery before. Surveillance footage from the incidents depicts the burglar’s method: climbing a wall in the back alley and squeezing through a narrow, barred window to gain entry. Notably, the burglar has worn the same outfit, consisting of gloves and sneakers, across all three incidents.
Hamilton suspects the burglar may be a juvenile due to their agility and build. Interestingly, many valuable items within her store were left untouched during the break-ins. Rather than pursuing criminal repercussions, Hamilton expressed a willingness to offer the burglar a job opportunity, voicing concerns that engaging in theft could lead to jail time or life-threatening situations.
In an effort to enhance security, Hamilton has installed new locks on her windows and secured cash in a safe. In light of these incidents, the Baltimore Police have encouraged anyone with relevant information regarding the case to come forward. The situation has raised alarm within the community, prompting Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley to hold discussions with Betsy Fox Tolentino to address juvenile crime and the monitoring of troubled youth. Worley indicated that a small number of young individuals are responsible for a disproportionate amount of criminal activity, underlining the need for accountability in juvenile cases.
Recent developments indicate a connection between Hamilton’s store and a group of teenagers involved in various criminal acts. Three individuals, comprising two 16-year-old boys and one 14-year-old boy, were arrested in connection with a spree of 13 burglaries across Baltimore, including the DiGi Business Center. The teens face multiple charges, including motor vehicle theft, burglary, and violation of handgun laws, after being caught driving a stolen vehicle. Alarmingly, two of the arrested teens have a history of arrests, totaling 12 prior incidents including auto theft, robbery, and burglary.
The escalating incidents of juvenile crime not only impact local business owners like Hamilton but also raise serious questions about community safety and the effectiveness of juvenile justice measures. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders within North Baltimore continue to seek solutions to protect their businesses and ensure a safer environment for all residents.
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Additional Resources
- WBAL: Baltimore Police Commissioner Worley Shares Concerns Regarding Juvenile Crime
- Wikipedia: Juvenile Delinquency
- Fox Baltimore: Burglar Targets Baltimore Business
- Google Search: Juvenile Crime Baltimore
- CBS News: Teens Arrested in Connection With Juvenile Crime
- Google Scholar: Juvenile Crime Trends
- Baltimore Sun: Baltimore City Crime Numbers
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Juvenile Justice
- WMAR: Baltimore Businesses Recover After Juvenile Burglaries
- Google News: Juvenile Crime Baltimore Businesses
Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER
The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
