From the Harford County Sheriff’s Office:
Two arrests have been made in connection with the robbery that occurred in front of the Target in Bel Air, MD on April 23, 2011.
Investigators used still surveillance photos provided from Target security to compile the Metro Crime Stoppers and Harford County Crime Solver flyers that were distributed to the public and news media. Several anonymous tips were received to MCS/HCCS officials and Harford County Sheriff’s Office deputies from concerned citizens identifying the suspects seen in the flyers. After confirming the identity of the young men as the suspects in the robbery, they were arrested in Aberdeen, MD without incident by Harford County Sheriff’s Office deputies on May 19, 2011.
They have been charged with Armed Robbery, Robbery, 1st degree assault, 2nd degree assault, handgun felony – use in a violent crime, concealed dangerous weapon and theft under $1,000.00.
Arrested were:
Rajaun Donte Lifford, age 16 of Aberdeen, MD: DOB 11-1994
He has been charged as an adult and was taken to the Harford County Detention Center
Male Juvenile of Aberdeen, MD: DOB 12-1995
He was charged as a juvenile and was transported to Charles Hickey School in Baltimore County.
Nice job HCSO!!! I am thankful for your great service.
Once again, kudos to the HCSO. Two more thugs off the street (at least for the time being).
HCSO, may have done a good job here but what about in the Edgewood Area… I wrote before HCSO conitnues to be called out to one house in the Willoughby Woods location and nothing has been done to stop the under aged drinking and or drugs in the home. The parents are not being held accountable and nor are the other individuals involved. The police come out to the home and don’t even request ID from the under age drinkers, nor do they even go in the home knowing their are drugs being used. They get to the door, speak to one person and leave. I don’t know how many times HCSO have been called out to this home, but something has got to be done.. HOLD ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR IRRESPONSIBILITY AS BEING PARENTS OR ADULTS!!!!! The neighborhood is fed up and wants something done….
Biker Dude Edgewood,
I agree with you 100% but there may be some constitutional issues that prevents the police from taking further action (going into the home). I would contact the Sheriff (call or letter) or the commander of the Patrol Division. If there is drug activity I’m sure they would be interested in the information.
It amazes me that parents will allow this activity in their home. Is it that they want to be friends with their kids more than being their parents? Maybe the parents are afraid of their kids. I don’t understand it.
Don’t be surprised you get some “goof-ball” responses to your post from persons who see nothing wrong with kids drinking (or using drugs) in the home as long as it remains in the home. I read the “goofy” posts from some when the HCSO raided an “under-age” drinking party in Bel Air and in a separate incident a raid that involved persons distribuing prescription drugs. Some just see nothing wrong with it.
Look, I’m glad they caught the persons they believed to be perpetrators. It is nice to assume justice is served, and feel secure. However, we shouldn’t be quick to judge the teenagers in the photo. There is a reason why the expression “You can’t believe half of what you see and none of what you hear” is timeless. Human memory is faulty and so is witness identification. Freeze for a minute and ponder the possibility that the witness saw these teenagers crossing the main-drive just before she pulled into a parking spot. She has time to store their image into long-term memory. Seconds later, she exits her car and is robbed by two completely different individuals, but the shock interrupts her ability to retain images of the assailants and delivers the images of the teenagers she witnessed crossing the main-drive instead. It is possible! Remember, the pictures only prove that the boys entered the Target not that they robbed a women. Are they guilty … possibly? Does their presence at the scene serve as a disadvantage, definitely? Does their previous behavior reflect poorly on them, we really don’t know? But what we do know is, “Human memory is far from perfect or permanent, and forgetfulness is a fact of life (Loftus & Ketcham, 1991),” and that is with wise, rational adults. Give these boys a chance before judging them. Read http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/dna/photos/eye/text_06.html .
Now picture this: a woman is robbed at gunpoint and gets a good face on view of the people that do it. She will remember them for a good long time, but soon after the incident she is shown a picture and she identifies them both. They are attired uniquely and she has the ability to describe their dress very specifically prior to seeing the pictures she ID’s.
Have you ever been the victim of a crime, Madison? If so, then you will know that the specifics are very clear to you. You watch too much Law & Order.
I am sorry that you don’t agree with my opinion, or think it is naive. It is highly likely that these boys are guilty, and the victims identification is 100 % accurate. To answer your questions, no, I’ve never been the victim of a crime and could not walk a mile in his/her shoes. I have tons of sympathy for this mindful, and respectful citizen. However, I have a bit of sympathy for the accused too, these minors …. guilty or not … have a tarnished name from this point forward, how does one rebuild a reputation after that? In anticipation of the looming question, have you or someone you’ve known been inaccurately accused of a crime, my reply is no. I cannot walk in their shoes either. I hope the victim is working through this tragic event, but hope the accused are working through the tragedy too. I have never watched Law and Order, but did see one episode of “Beyond Scared Straight” on A & E and it was aweful.
Do I smell a Defense Attorney sowing the seeds of doubt?