5 teens lure cab drivers to violent robberies, carjackings

WASHINGTON — Two Maryland teens face attempted murder and other charges for shooting and injuring a cab driver early Tuesday morning in Clifton just hours before they would steal a car from a second cab driver.

Three other teens also have been arrested for targeting cab drivers during the past week. All five have been charged as adults, according to Prince George’s County police.

The injured cab driver was shot multiple times and was in critical condition on Wednesday, police said.

Detectives believe the driver was lured to the 9000 block of Ballard Lane where Malik Samuels, 17, of Upper Marlboro, and Robert Walker, 17, of Greenbelt, approached the cab as it arrived about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday. They demanded money and shot the driver.

About two hours later, the two teens approached a second taxi driver in Largo, demanding money and the cab. The driver was not hurt but the pair drove off with the cab, police said.

On Monday, police arrested Christian Tejada, 18; Demonte Johnson, 16; and Jose Ponce-Coreas, 19, all of Beltsville. They each face various charges including robbery, armed robbery and assault.

The group stole a car from one cab driver, tried to steal a car from a Lyft driver and tried to rob a third driver, police said.

Investigators said the teens took rides with each of the drivers and demanded money or the vehicle once they arrived at their destination.

WTOP’s Megan Cloherty contributed to this report. 

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