MoCo Police Press Release on Recent Carjackings

MoCo Police Press Release on Recent Carjackings

The Montgomery County Police Department sent out a press release yesterday addressing the increased number of carjackings in our area in recent months.

The press release can be seen below.

The Montgomery County Police Department (MCP) is concerned about the increase in the number of carjackings that have occurred in the County and the greater metropolitan area in recent months.  In January, to date, there have been nine carjackings in Montgomery County (one of those being an attempt), and MCP officers and detectives have charged the suspects responsible for six of these offenses:

• 19-year-old male of Washington, D.C. and a 21-year-old male of an unconfirmed address, arrested for an armed carjacking they committed in Silver Spring on January 11.

• 19-year-old male of Oxon Hill, Maryland, arrested for a carjacking he committed in Chevy Chase on January 14.

• 14-year-old male and 15-year-old female of Washington, D.C., arrested for two carjackings they committed in Chevy Chase on January 21 and 22 (2 cases).

• Two, 16-year-old males of Washington, D.C., and Temple Hills, Maryland, arrested for an attempted carjacking and a carjacking they committed in Germantown on January 26 (2 cases).

Investigators continue to work to identify the suspects involved in these crimes and because suspects often cross jurisdictional boundaries when driving the stolen vehicles, investigators are coordinating with regional law enforcement agencies.

In September, the Department issued an alert about carjackings and vehicle thefts occurring in Silver Spring, and explained that the majority of these carjackings/vehicle thefts were occurring because drivers were leaving their vehicles running and unattended.  The victims were confronted by the suspect(s) as they left or returned to their vehicle.  Many of the victims were picking up food from restaurants as indoor dining was closed or reduced due to the pandemic.

Investigators have recently noted new and different commonalities among these carjackings in the County: the suspects are often young, some not even of a legal driving age, and the suspects often use violence – they present handguns or assault the victims.

The Department wants to remind residents of steps they can take to minimize their risk of victimization:

• Do not leave your vehicle running and unattended.

• Lock your vehicle and keep your vehicle keys with you at all times.

• Never leave a spare key or valet key in your vehicle. Note: Valet keys can be used to start the vehicle.

• If your vehicle has a “push-button” ignition system, make sure that the vehicle is turned off and locked before you leave it unattended.

• Use a vehicle locator device.

• If someone demands your vehicle keys, let them take your vehicle!  Do not risk serious injury.

Anyone with information about any of the suspects involved with these carjackings in Montgomery County is urged to call Major Crimes detectives at 240-773-5070.  For those who wish to remain anonymous, Crime Solvers of Montgomery County is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for any information that leads to the arrest of the homicide suspect(s).  Anonymous tipsters can call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online or via the P3 Tips app.