Teen carjackers from children’s home terrorize Philadelphia suburbs

In Bensalem, Pennsylvania, two young men, Daniel Rosa, 15, and Tharyn Battis Jr., 18, were arrested in connection with two armed carjackings that took place on December 2 and December 3, 2024. The first incident occurred early Monday morning when a woman was threatened at gunpoint while sitting in her vehicle outside her home on Oak Court. The suspect demanded her phone and subsequently stole her car, a white Honda Pilot, fleeing the scene with a passenger. Although police found the car later, the suspects remained at large until the following morning. The second carjacking unfolded less than 24 hours later, just after 5 a.m. on Tuesday, at Magnolia Court. A police response to a report of a car theft was complicated when officers arrived to find a Toyota Rav 4 had already been stolen. Surveillance footage revealed that the involved vehicle rammed into a police van during a pursuit. Police managed to apprehend Battis, who had fled the vehicle and was discovered hiding in nearby woods. During this arrest, law enforcement found a stolen firearm in his possession. Investigation revealed that both Rosa and Battis were residents of St. Francis & St. Vincent Homes for Children, a facility designed for youth involved in criminal activities and court-ordered to reside there. Bensalem police noted that there has been a recent surge in criminal incidents, such as car break-ins and thefts, attributed to residents of this facility. Prior to the armed carjackings, police indicated that multiple residents had gone absent without leave (AWOL), raising concerns about the potential for increased criminal behavior in the area. In light of these events, Bensalem police are urging local residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities. The judicial process for Rosa has begun, with him being tried as an adult, while both suspects have been remanded to their respective correctional facilities following their arrests. These incidents have highlighted significant concerns related to youth crime and the role of facilities intended to rehabilitate young offenders.