CINCINNATI, Ohio – Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with two violent attacks in downtown Cincinnati. The arrests were made in relation to at least one of the attacks, which occurred near the intersection of E. 6th and Walnut streets on January 23. In this incident, a group assaulted a man, stealing some of his belongings. The following day, another group of teens attacked a 15-year-old just one block away. Fortunately, neither victim sustained life-threatening injuries.
The police announced on Wednesday that they were searching for the two teens in connection to both assaults. The 14-year-old boy involved in one of the attacks, and a 16-year-old girl, have been taken into custody. No longer wanted, they are no longer being named by the news network that initially covered the incident.
In court on Thursday, officials revealed that the man hurt in the first incident was walking home from work when the suspects attacked, while the 16-year-old boy hurt in the second incident had gotten on the wrong bus before being assaulted by the teens. In connection to the first assault, two other individuals have been arrested. Both are charged with robbery, according to their incident report. Additionally, court records show that both individuals have been released by a juvenile court judge with an electronic ankle monitor.
The arrests have raised concerns and criticism from Cincinnati’s FOP president and the Hamilton County prosecutor. They have criticized judges for their lenient policies after the attackers in these incidents received small bonds. The FOP president mentioned that there must be consequences for those charged with such violent crimes, especially when the crimes are recorded on video.
Authorities are urging anyone with information on the assaults or the whereabouts of the individuals involved to contact the Cincinnati Police Department.