LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A 16-year-old is facing robbery charges after St. Matthews police said he pointed a gun at a postal worker who tried to stop him from breaking into a car on Monday. Authorities warn the incident is part of a troubling trend of juveniles committing serious crimes.
St. Matthews Police Chief Barry Wilkerson, a veteran of law enforcement, expressed concern about the rise in youth violence.
"We’re not talking about stealing candy from a store. We’re talking 12-16-year-olds using guns involved in crime," Wilkerson said. "It’s sad to see, because they’re young individuals who have a life ahead of them, and they’re just going down the wrong path."
According to police, the teen was checking cars in the parking lot behind the St. Matthews Post Office on Monday morning when he found a gun inside a vehicle. The situation escalated when he used the weapon to threaten a postal worker who intervened, then fled the scene.
The 16-year-old was arrested shortly after and is now charged with robbery. Because the suspect is a minor, authorities have not released further details.
This St. Matthews case reflects a national issue. A report by the Council on Criminal Justice found that juvenile homicides surged by 65% between 2016 and 2022, although the total number of crimes committed by young people dropped by 14% during the same period.
Locally, Louisville Metro Police Department Assistant Chief Donny Burbrink said juvenile involvement in violent crime has increased significantly since 2020, coinciding with the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
"Starting in 2020, we began seeing a significant rise in juvenile offenders and victims of violent crime," Burbrink said. "The lack of school and social interaction led some young people to associate with individuals who recruited them for criminal activity."
Both Wilkerson and Burbrink emphasized the need for proactive measures to address the issue.
"We need to start looking at how to prevent these individuals from getting into this position," Wilkerson said. "Stop glorifying criminals. It would be great if we could give them role models and show them the future they could have by doing the right thing."
The challenge of curbing juvenile crime continues to grow, leaving law enforcement and community leaders searching for solutions that can steer young people away from dangerous paths.
Related Stories:
- Suspect pointed gun at postal worker and ran away, according to St. Matthews Police
- 16-year-old arrested after police say he pointed gun at postal worker in St. Matthews
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