On October 16, at approximately 12:11 am, Takoma Park Police responded to the 900 block of Merrimac Drive (7-11), for the report of a stolen vehicle. The victim’s 2018 black Ford Explorer was stolen moments after it was parked. During the investigation, the stolen vehicle was found fully engulfed in flames in Sligo Creek.
According to police, “While investigating the stolen auto, officers were notified of a collision that occurred in the area of Sligo Creek Parkway and Heather Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found one vehicle fully engulfed in flames approximately 15-20 feet into the creek.
Fire and Rescue units and Maryland National Capital Park Police also responded to the scene. Fire and Rescue personnel were able to successfully extinguish the fire. A search of the area for possible victims, individuals trapped, or any items of evidentiary value yielded negative results. No other vehicles were involved, and there are no reported injuries at this time.
The vehicle involved in the crash matches the description of the stolen 2018 black Ford Explorer taken from the 7-Eleven on Merrimac Drive. While the Takoma Park Police Department will continue to investigate the stolen auto, the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office and Maryland National Capital Park Police will assume the lead in the investigation of the crash and the subsequent fire.”