A Chevy Chase teenager was arrested in connection with two carjackings. Montgomery County Police are searching for other suspects.
Joseph De-La-Paz, 18, was charged for allegedly committing a strongarm carjacking on Nov. 7, 2023, and an armed carjacking on Nov. 8, 2023.
In the first matter, police responded to the 3100 block of McMahon Road in Silver Spring and determined that an adult female was by the trunk of her 2013 Nissan Sentra when she was approached by five males, all wearing black clothes and black ski masks.
The woman told police that one of the suspects pointed a black handgun at her and demanded her car keys. She also said another suspect displayed a knife and poked her, according to police.
The suspects also demanded her cellphone. She complied, and they drove away in the Sentra.
The following night, Rockville City Police officers went to Leonard Court following a report of an armed carjacking.
The adult female told police she was parked in her 2017 Honda Pilot, when she was approached by three Black males, all wearing dark clothing and masks. Two of the suspects approached the driver side of the car and displayed handguns, according to police. A third suspect went to the passenger side.
The suspects demanded that the woman drive them to her bank, but she ran away and called police.
The suspects drove away in the Pilot.
Following an investigation, Montgomery County Police identified De-La-Paz as one of the suspects. He was arrested Jan. 5 and charged with multiple counts of armed carjacking, armed robbery, assault, theft and firearm related charges. He is currently being held on bond.
His preliminary hearing is set for Friday.
Anyone with information regarding these suspects or these crimes should go to the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, MD website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org (http://www.crimesolversmcmd.org/) and click on the “www.p3tips.com (http://www.p3tips.com/)” link at the top of the page or call 1-866-411-8477.
A reward of up to $10,000 is offered for information leading to the suspects’ arrest. Tips may remain anonymous.
Eighteen-Year-Old Arrested for Two Carjackings; Detectives Continue to Search for Additional Suspectshttps://t.co/7olYeQIpNf#MCPNews #MCPD #Investigation pic.twitter.com/ooohqx3j9c
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) January 17, 2024
