FOX 5 employee carjacked outside station in Bethesda
FOX5 employee carjacked at gunpoint
Montgomery County Police are searching for a suspect involved in an armed carjacking in Bethesda on Wednesday night. MCPD responded to the area of Wisconsin Avenue and Elm Street for the report of an armed carjacking around 12:11 a.m. The victim is a FOX 5 employee.
BETHESDA, M.d. (FOX 5 DC) - Montgomery County police released surveillance photos Friday of the vehicle suspects arrived in before carjacking a FOX 5 employee.
The images show a dark-colored SUV traveling down Wisconsin Avenue on the night of the armed carjacking in Bethesda.
On Wednesday, MCPD responded to the area of Wisconsin Avenue and Elm Street for the report of an armed carjacking around 12:11 a.m.
The suspect displayed a handgun and forced open the victim's door, according to police - and is believed to have arrived in a dark-colored SUV.
The victim said she noticed the SUV driving the wrong way on Elm Street, before making an illegal U-turn.
The suspect then quickly approached the victim's car, a 2018 Hyundai Tuscon, before the victim had a chance to leave the area and began shouting at her to get out.
Along with the car, the victim's wallet and phone were also stolen.
According to the victim, the suspect spent $80 on her bank account at a gas station in D.C. at some point after the incident.
The suspect who forced open the victim’s door is described as a Black male with a dark complexion, approximately 5-feet, 7-inches to 5-feet, 9-inches tall, 18 to 22 years old, with a thin build.
Police said he was wearing a ski mask covering everything but his eyes, a hooded sweatshirt, and dark-colored gloves.
The suspect driving the SUV is described as a Black male, approximately 18 to 22-years-old, with a medium complexion and locs that covered his forehead.
The FOX 5 employee was not physically hurt and is safe now at home with their family.
"It feels surreal. Being behind the scenes and as you know, we report these stories, but you just never think it would happen to you. I’m still in shock. I’m still in shock," the employee said after the incident. "Unfortunately our world has become where we can’t let our guard down anymore. Even when you think you’re in a safe place, you’re not so unfortunately we have to be vigilant 24/7 because you just never know."
FOX 5 DC's SVP and General Manager Patrick Paolini stated: "The safety of our employees is always our first priority, and we are in constant communication with the MCPD about the incident, safety in the area and other steps that may be taken."
Anyone with information regarding these suspects or this crime is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070 or 240-773-TIPS or contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).
A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect.