Teens Charged in Robbery Attempt

Victim, 17, Was Stabbed in Incident That Recalls Attacks on the Mall in 2006

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By Petula Dvorak

Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 21, 2008; Page B02

Almost two years after a Memorial Day weekend that was chilled by a series of violent attacks along the Mall, an attempted robbery ended in violence near one of the nation's most prominent landmarks Monday night.

Three youths, ages 15 to 17, were charged as juveniles in a mugging and stabbing that occurred a few blocks from the Capitol.

Police said the teens tried to rob another youth about 8 p.m. as he was leaving the Federal Center SW Metro station at Third and D streets. The victim, a 17-year-old District resident, resisted and was stabbed in the side, police said. His wounds were not thought to be life-threatening, police said.

The assailants fled north on Third Street, toward the Mall, which was teeming with people enjoying the cool evening. Several police officers were nearby and assisted in the arrest. The youths were charged yesterday with assault with intent to rob, said Officer Kenny Bryson, a D.C. police spokesman.

U.S. Park Police officers, who aided in the apprehensions but do not have jurisdiction in the case, said the crime did not reflect on their territory. "The Mall is safe," said Sgt. Robert Lachance, a Park Police spokesman.

After 12 people were attacked on the Mall in May and July 2006, Park Police began an investigation that led to the arrests of five teens who admitted that they took the Metro to prey on people in the area. In one of the incidents, a woman was raped.

Until then, the Mall had been relatively safe, even during events such as the National Cherry Blossom Festival, police said.

"As long as I can remember, whatever the crime spike is, the Mall has always been a crime-free place," said Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), who said she was at a hearing about the future of the Mall yesterday when she learned of the attack.

Norton, a race-walker who exercises on the Mall at night, lobbied for more patrols and better lighting in the area after the 2006 attacks. She said that there is still work to be done and that the Park Police do not have enough funding to adequately patrol the area.