Increase In Carjackings Reported In Bowie, Across Prince George's County: Police

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Carjackings are on the rise across the country, including in Prince George's County.

Most recently, a local chef was with his children when two masked people, possibly teens police say, grabbed his keys, shot him and took off in his vehicle. Co-workers at his restaurant have set up a GoFundMe to help support him and his family.

An FBI employee was seriously injured in a shooting during a carjacking, also in Mount Rainier, a few days before the chef was shot. Police say the suspects pulled up on the victim and shot him in the right shoulder. They then drove off in his 2011 Dodge Durango.

In October, Hyattsville Police reported an armed carjacking, armed robbery and a strong arm robbery in a 3-day period. Four teenage boys ages 14-16 were charged in connection to an attempted carjacking that happened in June in Bowie. The 16-year-old in that case was charged as an adult.

Also in June, two teens and three adults were charged in connection to four recent carjacking carried out across Prince George's County, including one at a cemetery. An 18-year-old Washington, D.C., man was charged with 18 counts stemming from six separate carjackings carried out in D.C. and Maryland in 2023, including in Prince George's County. One of the attempted carjackings involved the shooting of a driver multiple times.

Bowie's police chief recently spoke out about the increase in this type of crime, warning residents about the jump in carjackings.

“Over the past month, five carjackings occurred within the city of Bowie, marking an unwanted increase in this type of crime. Unfortunately, we have witnessed numerous news stories about this trend in the surrounding areas of Prince George’s County and the District of Columbia," Bowie Acting Chief of Police Dwayne Preston told Patch. "I want each resident to know that we are increasing patrols in the evening and overnight hours to curtail these crimes. The carjackings have occurred at gas stations, shopping centers and apartment complexes. These incidents are likely being perpetrated by those who do not live in the city of Bowie.

"I ask for your help by reporting suspicious people or vehicles you might notice throughout the
community. Please be observant of your surroundings and call our non-emergency number at 240-544-5700 to report your concerns. The Bowie Police Department is committed to working diligently to protect you. Stay safe during this holiday season," Preston added.

As of June 2023, the Prince George's County Police Department's Carjacking Interdiction Unit had charged 84 suspects in connection with carjacking cases. Of those, 51 are juveniles and 33 are adults. Officers had arrested 248 suspects in connection with auto thefts in 2023, which is more arrests than all of 2022. Of the 2023 arrests as of June 2023, 110 are adults and 138 are juvenile. The number of juveniles arrested for auto theft as of June 2023 was more than double the number in all of 2022. In 2022, PGPD charged a total of 66 juveniles.

So what can drivers do to help protect themselves? NBC Washington provided the following tips to help prevent a carjacking:

Tips to avoid being carjacked when traveling:

• Police advise driving in the center lane, when possible, to make it harder for potential carjackers to approach your car.
• Allow yourself enough room to maneuver around other cars in case you need to drive off.
• Avoid driving alone when possible, especially at night.
• Always lock your car doors after getting in.

Here’s how to avoid being carjacked as you get in or out of your car

• Police recommend staying alert at all times. Walk with purpose.
• Approach your car with the keys in your hand. “Look around, under and inside the car before you get in,” police say.
• Park in well-lit areas away from large trucks, dumpsters or anything that might limit your visibility.
• Keep any valuables in your car out of sight.
• Never leave your car running as you hop out, even if the key fob is on you.
• Overall, trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, it might not be.

Carjackings are more common in these locations:

• ATMs
• Gas stations
• Car washes
• Parking garages and parking lots, especially at malls, grocery stores and near mass transit
• Highway exit and entry ramps