Senior staff members from California Rep. Sarah Jacobs’ office experienced an armed carjacking in a well-known neighborhood of Washington, D.C. on Friday afternoon, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.
On Sunday, Metro Police reported that two individuals were arrested in connection with this armed carjacking, which took place in a Harris Teeter parking lot in the Navy Yard area of Washington.
The police report revealed that the staff member lost personal belongings, including a government-issued iPhone, MacBook, ID, and Capitol parking passes. Although Jacobs’ office did not comment further, they confirmed that the stolen device was quickly wiped.
Details from Metro Police indicate that the suspect approached the victim shortly after noon, asking for the car keys. When the staff member refused, the suspect, armed with a handgun, demanded the keys and subsequently fled the scene with the vehicle.
Authorities were able to recover the victim’s car and firearm the following day and subsequently arrested two suspects. A 15-year-old from Washington was charged with armed carjacking, while a 14-year-old from Maryland faced charges for carrying a pistol without a license and for vehicle misuse.
As of Sunday, police are still looking for two additional suspects whose images were captured by surveillance cameras during the incident.
Navy Yard, located south of the U.S. Capitol, has been evolving into a bustling urban area for staff and young professionals over the last decade. However, it has also drawn criticism due to crime rates.
Recently, Transport Secretary Sean Duffy remarked on a safety event at the Navy Yard metro station, recalling the time when a police officer was stabbed there last month after a fare violation.
On the political front, President Donald Trump has stated his commitment to addressing crime in Washington, expressing aspirations to make it a “crime-free capital” during his recent campaign appearances.
Jacobs’ staff has not responded to requests for comment regarding the incident.
