Violent Crimes Division detectives arrested a group of young people Tuesday night believed to be connected to nearly two dozen of stolen vehicles in the Midtown Hills and West Precinct areas in the last couple weeks. Three teenagers (ages 15, 16 and 17) as well as two adults (ages 18 and 24) were taken into custody on West End Avenue near 28th Avenue from two stolen vehicles.
Detectives spotted the group in a Hyundai Elantra that was stolen from a home on Brookmeadow Lane hours prior unlocked. The Elantra entered a parking garage on 18th Avenue South where it exited with a Hyundai Sonata in tow. The Sonata was quickly reported stolen by the owner.
With assistance from MNPD Aviation, the two Hyundais were followed to West End Avenue where detectives were able to stop the vehicles. The 24-year-old driver of one of the Hyundais, Keylando M. Adams Jr., ignored commands to exit the car and instead rammed into a police vehicle with an MNPD officer inside.
During the arrests, detectives located three stolen firearms within the two stolen Hyundais as well as key fobs for vehicles that were recently reported stolen.
At this time the three teenagers are charged in Juvenile Court with a variety of offenses, including vehicle theft, juvenile handgun possession, theft of a firearm and vandalism.
Imagine Higginbotham, 18, was charged with two counts of vehicle theft, two counts of vandalism and three counts of contributing to the delinquency of minors. She remains jailed on $46,000 bond.
Adams Jr. was charged with two counts of vehicle theft, three counts of vandalism, three counts of contributing to the delinquency of minors, aggravated assault on a first responder, resisting arrest, and not having a driver’s license. He remains jailed on $77,000 bond.
The investigation is still ongoing and additional charges against all five suspects are anticipated. Their booking photos are being withheld pending investigative lineups.
