A Connecticut-based clergyman, Kenneth Moales Jr., gallantly defended himself during a carjacking incident in Baltimore on the 29th of June. Having come to the city for a cordial dinner with friends on East Pratt Street in Upper Fell’s Point, his evening took a dark turn. Quite unexpectedly, a teenager demanded his vehicle under duress, leading to a scuffle between them. The youngster eventually succeeded in stealing the car, something Moales Jr. felt symbolized an unfortunate prioritization of material goods over human life.
Moales Jr., enjoying some reprieve from his duties as the Bishop-Elect at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bridgeport, Connecticut, was taken aback by this occurrence. ‘Unfortunate for him, he picked the wrong car,’ the pastor asserted, after the teenager’s hasty retreat. His stolen automobile was later located by Baltimore’s finest on South Broadway, just a few blocks away. The culprits, a group of three boys aged 15, 16, and 19, were subsequently apprehended.
Moales Jr.’s recollection of the incident painted a vivid picture. As he tried to grapple with the reality of the situation, the teenager covered his face with a ski mask and brandished a firearm, demanding the pastor exit his vehicle. What transpired next shook him to his core – a carjacking right in the heart of Baltimore, with him as the victim. A question hung heavy in the air: ‘What in the world is going on?’
The crime occurred upon the Bishop-Elect’s arrival at a popular local restaurant. He suffered some injuries but, thankfully, they were of a non-critical nature. A statement expressing relief over the recovery of his car and his well-being followed: ‘We are grateful the thief is in custody, the vehicle found undamaged and Kenneth is under treatment. By divine grace, he will pull through.’
The incident was responded to by police who arrived at the 1700 block on East Pratt Street around 8:45 PM. On looking into the matter, they learned that three unidentified individuals had approached Moales Jr. One guy asked for the time of day; even as the pastor lowered his car window, the handgun emerged from the shadows.
The armed youngster was insistent that the clergyman alight from his car. Following his compliance, a brief encounter of a physical nature ensued, with the criminals getting the better of it. A harsh blow was inflicted on Moales, and the culprit managed to take off in his car. The whereabouts of the stolen vehicle were discovered the next day, on the 600 block of South Broadway.
A routine traffic stop soon morphed into an exhilarating chase as the culprits attempted escape. They eventually abandoned the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, presents an opportune moment for the police to round them up. The trio comprised of two juveniles and a 19-year-old.
The carjacking ordeal was captured in a dramatic footage that showed the teenager closing in on the vehicle and the struggle that quickly ensued. According to Moales, the assailant struck him on the head with his weapon before he could repulse him. Upon recognizing the younger assailant, Pastor Moales revealed his identity as a family man and a religious leader and decided to let go.
Even after regaining control of the situation, the teen managed to snatch Moales’ shoe, his gun, and eventually his car. The pastor felt the disrespect more acutely than the physical pain. ‘I’m deeply disappointed by his lack of respect for me as clergy. After grappling with him, I had the upper hand, and I did not take advantage of it while he was incapacitated.’ Moales ruminated.
Pastor Moales has chosen to use this disheartening occurrence as a catalyst for a positive shift. He has committed to impacting the younger generation positively. A strong advocate for religious revival among the youth, Moales declared, ‘We need to bring young men back to faith, instill hope in them and make them an active portion of our society. Our sons are the pillars of our communities.’
Baltimore’s Mayor, Brandon Scott, shared his thoughts on the incident, advocating that the offenders be dealt with sternly. ‘We can’t just stop at arresting individuals for such crimes; we need to ensure they face the consequences,’ stressed Scott. The violent carjacking has raised concerns among the residents of Upper Fells Point regarding their safety.
Residents of the area have expressed their nervousness about the situation. According to an inhabitant, the incident has led to increased vigilance in ensuring their vehicles’ safety. They expressed their concerns especially when leaving town, highlighting the shocking proximity of the crime. Another resident shared similar concerns, rueing the ill-advised false sense of security of believing it would never happen close home.
Despite recording a significant dip in crime over the past year, Baltimore is grappling with a disturbing trend in juvenile-perpetrated vehicle thefts. The police force reported a staggering figure of 265 carjackings for the year 2024. Alarmingly, the count for the current year, 2025, has already reached 192, indicating a persistent problem.
The first week of July witnessed the apprehension of nine teenagers in relation to two separate carjacking incidents. The first of July recorded a similar incident; the culprits – two 14-year-old boys, a 13-year-old girl, and 15 and 17-year-old boys – were captured on camera, leading to their arrest. Interestingly, three among them were already embroiled in various criminal proceedings.
The following day, four teenagers were arrested following a brief chase related to another carjacking, with one being charged as an adult. These culprits were two 15-year-old boys, a young man of 16, and another aged 14. Establishing a disturbing pattern, three among them were found to be previously involved in armed robberies and auto theft. This series of events emphasizes the urgency of addressing juvenile delinquency in carjackings within Baltimore.