18-Year-Old Arrested for Two Carjackings; Detectives Continue to Search for Additional Suspects

Per MCPD: “18-year-old Joseph De-La-Paz has been arrested and charged for allegedly committing a strong-arm carjacking on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, and an armed carjacking on Wednesday, November 8, 2023.

On November 7, at approximately 7:42 p.m., 4th District officers responded to the 3100 block of McMahon Rd., for the report of a carjacking.

The preliminary investigation by detectives determined that the adult female victim was at the trunk of her 2013 Nissan Sentra, when she was approached by five unknown male suspects wearing all black clothing and black ski masks. The victim stated that one of the suspects pointed a black handgun at her and demanded the car keys to the Sentra. The victim also stated that one of the other suspects displayed a knife and poked her with it. The suspects demanded the victims’ cellphone, to which she complied and they drove away in the Sentra.

On November 8, at approximately 9:15 p.m., officers from the Rockville City Police Department responded to the area of Leonard Ct., for the report of an armed carjacking.

The adult female victim stated that she was parked in her 2017 Honda Pilot, when she was approached by three young Black males wearing all dark clothing and masks. Two of the suspects approached the driver side and displayed handguns, while the third suspect approached the passenger side of the vehicle. The suspects demanded that the victim drive them to her bank, but the victim ran away and called police. The suspects drove away in the Pilot.

Through the course of the investigation, detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division identified De-La-Paz as one of the suspects.

On Friday, January 5, 2024, detectives obtained an arrest warrant. On the same day, De-La-Paz was transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he was charged with multiple counts of armed carjacking, armed robbery, assault, theft and firearm related charges. He is currently being held on bond.

Detectives continue to search for the additional suspects.

Anyone with information regarding these suspects or these crimes is asked to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, MD website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org (http://www.crimesolversmcmd.org/) and click on the “www.p3tips.com (http://www.p3tips.com/)” link at the top of the page or call 1-866-411-8477. A reward of up to $10,000 is offered for information leading to the suspects’ arrest. Tips may remain anonymous.”