FBI Agent Carjacked Near Capitol Hill In Washington Amid Crime Surge

Authored by Katabella Roberts via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

An FBI employee's vehicle was carjacked near Capitol Hill in Washington on Nov. 29, according to officials, marking the latest incident to take place in the nation’s capital as it continues to battle soaring crime.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department, officers responded to the armed carjacking incident in the 100 block of 12th Street NE at about 3:45 p.m.

Police confirmed the victim was a federal agent who told officials that two suspects took their vehicle.

The stolen vehicle was recovered shortly after the incident, at about 4:10 p.m. in the 1000 block of 15th St SE, less than a mile from where the car was taken, officials said.

"At this time, we can confirm that an FBI employee was carjacked on the afternoon of November 29," an FBI spokesperson said in an emailed statement to NBC Washington.

"The vehicle was recovered, and the FBI Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department's Carjacking Task Force are investigating," the spokesperson added.

No further information has been released regarding the two suspects and officials did not provide further details regarding the lead-up to and aftermath of the carjacking.

The incident comes as violent crime rates have surged across Washington in the past year, according to police data, up 40 percent year-on-year, with homicides up 23 percent, robberies up 69 percent, and arson up 125 percent.

The significant rise in carjackings and auto thefts has prompted police, via an initiative launched by Mayor Muriel Bowser’s government, to hand out auto-tracking devices.

In October, Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) revealed he was also the victim of a carjacking near the Capitol, which he said was carried out by three armed assailants who stole his car.

The lawmaker was not injured during the incident, which took place while he was attempting to park his vehicle outside of his Washington apartment in Navy Yard.

The 68-year-old Texas Democrat's car was later recovered about two miles away in the Anacostia neighborhood.

Prior to that incident, Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), another Democrat, was attacked in an elevator at her Washington apartment building in February.

During that incident, a homeless man later identified as Kendrick Hamlin approached the lawmaker, assaulted her, and then fled when she defended herself, according to police.

Police said Phillip Todd—a staffer for Mr. Paul on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee—was stabbed "multiple times" by suspect Glynn Neal, 42, of Southeast Washington. Mr. Neal was subsequently arrested and charged with assault with intent to kill using a knife.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Secret Service confirmed its agents tasked with protecting President Joe Biden's granddaughter, Naomi Biden, opened fire after three people attempted to break into an unmarked Secret Service vehicle in the capital.

No one was struck by the gunfire, the Secret Service said in a statement. The three people were seen fleeing in a red car, and the Secret Service said it put out a regional bulletin to Metropolitan Police to be on the lookout for it.

Amid growing criticism of the surge in crime across Washington, Ms. Bowser, a Democrat, has announced legislation aimed at addressing "public safety challenges" and "giving law enforcement more tools to hold criminals accountable and keep neighborhoods safe."

Introduced in October, the "Addressing Crime Trends Now Act" (ACT Now), will, among other things reinstate a law preventing criminals from wearing a mask for the purpose of conducting a criminal act or intimidating, create criminal penalties for organized retail theft, limit loitering, and establish "temporary drug-free zones" across the city.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.