Chinatown Businesses Express Concern Over Teen Fights and Robberies
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By Cassie Schirm Tue, October 13, 2026
Updated Tue, October 13, 2026 at 7:01 PM
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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. (7News)
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topics:
- Chinatown
- Juvenile crime
- Robbery
- Teenagers
- Metropolitan Police Department
- Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro
- 7th Street NW
- Crime data
A Growing Concern
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, this incident is raising concerns about a problem they say 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.
The Latest Incident
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 Confirms Investigation
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, who wished to remain anonymous due to concerns for his safety, 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 also described being surrounded by a group of teenagers while walking to work. They attempted to grab his cellphone, threatened him, and directed racial slurs.
"They circling you, and then, you know, try to punch you, try to bully you, things like that," he said.
He 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.
Data Reflects Rising Crime
Crime data also shows the concerns are unfolding in an area where reported robberies have been rising.