FBI agent carjacked in Washington D.C.
An off-duty FBI agent was the victim of a carjacking on Wednesday afternoon near Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., authorities reported. The incident adds to the sharp rise in carjackings seen in the city this year.
At approximately 3:45 p.m. on November 30th, two armed individuals forcibly took the vehicle belonging to the FBI agent, the Washington D.C. police and the FBI’s Washington field office stated. Thankfully the agent was unharmed during the carjacking.
Authorities were able to recover the stolen vehicle shortly after 4 p.m. on Wednesday in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Washington D.C. Investigations into the carjacking are being jointly conducted by the FBI’s Washington field office and the Metropolitan Police Department’s carjacking task force.
Details on the two carjacking suspects have not yet been disclosed as the investigations are still ongoing, the Metropolitan Police Department told NBC Washington. Thus far, no arrests related to this FBI carjacking have been made.
Sharp Rise in Washington D.C. Carjackings This Year
This latest carjacking incident near Capitol Hill adds to the over 900 carjacking cases reported in Washington D.C. so far this year. This figure signifies more than a doubling of carjacking incidents compared to last year.
Per statistics from the Metropolitan Police Department, over 77% of the 2022 carjackings involved the use of firearms. The growing prevalence is believed to be tied to the surging juvenile crime problem in the city.
This upward trend in carjackings also follows a similar case last month involving Texas Representative Henry Cuellar. Rep. Cuellar was targeted in an armed carjacking merely a mile away from Capitol Hill as he was arriving at his Washington D.C. apartment.
Ongoing Investigations and Preventative Measures
While the suspects behind this latest FBI agent carjacking have not yet been publicly named, investigations are actively working to identify and apprehend those responsible.
In response to the swelling incidence of these violent crimes, Washington D.C. authorities have assembled a designated carjacking task force to curb this issue. Community members are also advised by police to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings when entering and exiting vehicles.
Additional preventative actions like parking in well-lit areas, keeping doors locked, and leaving ample space to maneuver out of parking spots can also reduce chances of being carjacked. Anyone with information that may assist in investigations of the November 30th FBI carjacking or other cases is urged to contact the Metropolitan Police Department.
This brazen carjacking of an FBI agent near the U.S. Capitol demonstrates the growing threat of these crimes even to law enforcement officers themselves. As figures continue trending upwards, concerted efforts between agencies like the FBI and Metropolitan Police alongside public cooperation will be key to getting this crisis under control in Washington D.C.
