WASHINGTON (7News) — A group of approximately 25 to 30 juveniles surrounded three people walking through Chinatown Monday night, with two suspects robbing one man of his expensive designer shoes and cellphone, according to D.C. police.
But for people working along 7th Street NW, the incident is raising concerns about a problem they said has been happening for months.
Several business workers told 7News they have repeatedly dealt with groups of teenagers fighting, harassing customers and causing disturbances. Some were so concerned about their safety that they declined to appear on camera.
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The latest robbery happened Monday, Oct. 12, near 825 7th Street NW, close to Massachusetts Avenue.
According to a Metropolitan Police Department report obtained by 7News, three people were walking north along 7th Street looking for restaurants when approximately 25 to 30 juveniles began following them.
Police said the group surrounded the three, and one suspect demanded a man’s shoes, telling him, “I ain’t gonna lie, you gotta give me those shoes right now.”
Fearing for his safety, the victim removed his Balenciaga Track Runner sneakers, valued at approximately $1,150, and handed them over.
A second suspect then checked the victim’s pockets and took his iPhone 17 Pro Max, valued at about $1,000, according to the report.
The three people ran north, but police said members of the group continued harassing them. Witnesses reported seeing some of the juveniles enter the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro station while others boarded a Metrobus.
MPD confirmed Tuesday that investigators are seeking two suspects in connection with the robbery.
For one employee at a nearby Chinese restaurant, the incident was troubling but not surprising.
The worker agreed to speak with 7News on the condition that his identity be concealed because of concerns for his safety.
He described repeated encounters with groups of teenagers who enter the restaurant, yell at employees, harass customers and attempt to take food.
“Teens, they just come in here, like, harassing customers, try to grab the food. They think it’s fun to do so,” he said.
He told 7News the behavior has disrupted customers trying to enjoy their meals and left employees uncertain about what might happen next.
The worker also described being surrounded by a group of teenagers while walking to work. He said they attempted to grab his cellphone, threatened him and directed racial slurs toward him.
“They circling you, and then, you know, try to punch you, try to bully you, things like that,” he said.
He also claims employees have called 911 during disturbances, but officers sometimes failed to arrive or showed up after the people involved had already left. Those specific incidents and police response times have not been independently verified.
Crime data also shows the concerns are unfolding in an area where reported robberies are increasing.
7News examined MPD Crime Cards data within a 1,000-foot radius of 825 7th Street NW.
The data shows 21 reported robberies so far in 2026, up from 15 during the dashboard’s previous comparison period last year, a 40% increase.
Violent crime in the same area increased approximately 53%, from 17 reported incidents to 26.
Overall, the dashboard recorded 220 crimes in the selected 2026 period, compared with 211 in the prior period.
Those numbers include reported crimes involving adults and juveniles and do not capture every fight, harassment complaint or disturbance reported by nearby businesses.
Workers said the problems are also taking a financial toll.
Some businesses told 7News they have hired additional evening security, an added expense they said is necessary to protect employees and customers.
The restaurant worker said customers have even asked whether it is safe to walk through the neighborhood.
“We’re just, like, average people try to make a living,” he said. “We tried to provide good food to serve our customers. All of a sudden, just come in here, ruin everything.”
Another woman interviewed in Chinatown expressed concern about young people’s involvement in these incidents.
“It’s horrible to be afraid of young people. It really is. It is sad. They are our future,” she said.
The city has previously taken steps to address large juvenile gatherings in Chinatown.
MPD designated parts of the neighborhood as special juvenile curfew zones on several occasions earlier this year, including in March, April and May.
During designated evenings, the restrictions prohibited gatherings of nine or more juveniles in certain areas between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., with exceptions.
However, those restrictions were temporary and did not apply during Monday’s robbery.
Despite the additional enforcement efforts, workers interviewed by 7News said disturbances have continued.
The woman interviewed said city leaders need to focus not only on enforcement but also on helping young people build a better future through job training, education and positive opportunities.
She believes parents also have a responsibility to guide their children.
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“It also depends on how we raise our children,” she said, emphasizing the importance of conversations at home and providing young people with a positive future.
For business workers along 7th Street, the immediate concern remains keeping their doors open and their customers safe.
MPD’s investigation into Monday’s robbery remains ongoing, with two suspects being sought.
Source: wjla.com
