WASHINGTON — Armed suspects stole a delivery driver's car in Northeast D.C. early Wednesday morning, police say.
According to police, two armed people approached the driver in the 800 block of 21st St. NE around 3 a.m. The suspects took off in the victim's red Toyota Camry, police said. The delivery driver was not hurt in this case.
A police report of the incident offered a few more details. According to the report, the driver was making a delivery in the area. When he got out to deliver the food, two people approached him. One of the people was carrying a black handgun. The report says one of the suspects demanded his keys, while the other told him to empty his pockets. The delivery driver handed over his keys and property. One of the suspects then pointed the gun at the driver and told him to lay on the ground or else he would be shot. The two suspects took off southbound on 21st Street SE in the stolen Camry
Police are still searching for the two people responsible. Anyone who may have information is asked to call police at 202-727-9099 or text the department's tipline at 50411.
This carjacking comes almost a year after the fatal carjacking of UberEats driver Mohmmad Anwar.
On March 23, 2021, D.C. police said two teen girls tried to take Anwar's car using a Taser, which resulted in a deadly rollover crash near Nationals Park in Southeast D.C.
Both girls eventually pleaded guilty in the case.
Along with Anwar's case, 2021 saw an alarming spike in carjacking cases. It's a problem that police in D.C. and Maryland are still working to address.
Earlier this month, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert Contee and Prince George's County Police Chief Malik Aziz held a news conference to discuss the alarming trend, calling for more accountability.
“The accountability is only here. When we get true accountability, then our other partners that are in the system will be challenged for their actions,” Chief Aziz said.
Authorities offered the following tips for drivers:
- Always lock your car
- Never leave your vehicle idling/running unattended – even if your key fob is on you, someone can still drive off with your car until it stops or gas runs out
- Always keep track of your keys, never leave them inside the vehicle
- Do not leave children unattended inside your vehicle
- Park in a safe spot
- Stay alert and aware of your surroundings
- If you are a victim of a crime, report it immediately by calling 911