Recent Carjackings Worry Neighbors

photo by skippytpe on Flickr

A spate of carjackings in the area has caused some alarm among residents. They are occurring between 1 and 4 p.m., according to Renato Caldwell, a lieutenant for the First District.

Last Saturday, October 10, two subjects approached a car parked in the 200 block of 12^th Street NE between 3 and 4 p.m., and at least one showed a handgun, according to police and citizen comments on the MPD-1D listserv. The two subjects drove off after the victim exited the car, and no injuries have been reported.

Police, who have been going door-to-door, told neighbors that there had been three carjackings in the area and gave tips on how to protect oneself, according to one listserv poster.  The poster said the officer recommended calling in anything suspicious, as these carjackings occurred in broad daylight and at least two incidents involved suspects who were armed.

An officer reported that two of the carjackings “have occurred in the 1300 block of F Street NE- one armed and one unarmed within a week.” The most recent one that occurred yesterday involved a group of three black males with handguns, he reported. The vehicle was not taken, although it was attempted. The suspects “were riding in an unknown blue or silver sedan with temporarily blue tags.”

According to Tommy Wells’ office, the three carjackings on the Hill occurred on:

• October 10 – 200 block of 12^th St NE – 2 suspects are black males who are armed and masked
• October 11 – 1300 block of F St NE – 1 suspect is one black male who snatched a key out of the complainants hand and took vehicle.  The vehicle was recovered the same day on 100 block of 49^th St NE.
• October 15 – 1300 block of F St NE – 3 suspects were black males who attempted to carjack; they did not take vehicle and were reportedly armed

A fourth carjacking was not on the Hill, but may have been related. This similar carjacking occurred in the Sixth District about 15 minutes after the initial attempt in the First District. Police are not sure if they were related but there were similar descriptions given, one officer stated online.

“If you see any suspicious activity please calls 911, so we can come and investigate the situation, and be diligent,” police stated

Diligent? Let’s be careful out there!

Update: Commander David K. Kamperin from the First District says that the suspects are generally dressed in black and there has been no pattern to the type of car they attempt to take.