WASHINGTON, DC – The Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C., has announced the arrest of a 17-year-old male suspect in connection with an armed carjacking incident involving an FBI agent. The suspect, identified as Devonta Lynch, was taken into custody on Monday.
The incident, which occurred on November 29, took place in the 100 block of 12th Street NE. According to the police, Lynch, along with another unidentified suspect, allegedly approached the FBI agent as they were exiting their vehicle. The suspects then purportedly brandished a firearm and proceeded to steal the agent’s car at gunpoint. The incident occurred around 3:44 p.m. The stolen vehicle was later found in the 1000 block of 15th Street SE, approximately 25 minutes after the carjacking took place.
The Metropolitan Police Department has yet to confirm if a second suspect has been apprehended in this case. The investigation is ongoing, with the FBI’s Washington Field Office’s Violent Crimes Task Force assisting local law enforcement. A joint reward of up to $20,000 is currently being offered for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individuals responsible for the crime.
Carjacking incidents in Washington, D.C., have seen a significant surge over the past year, according to crime statistics provided by the Metropolitan Police Department. As of Tuesday, 924 carjackings were reported in 2023, a stark increase from the 429 carjackings reported during the same period in 2022. Of these incidents, 77% have involved the use of firearms.
The statistics also reveal a concerning trend involving the age of the perpetrators. The majority of carjacking arrests, approximately 64%, include juveniles, with 15 and 16 being the most common ages. This highlights the growing issue of juvenile crime in the city.
The arrest of Lynch, who is being charged as an adult under Title 16, is a significant development in this case. However, it also underscores the broader challenge facing law enforcement and the community in tackling the rise in carjackings and juvenile crime.
The Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI are urging anyone with information about this case to come forward. Tips can be called to the police at 202-727-9099 or texted to the department’s tip line at 50411. The authorities are hopeful that the offered reward will encourage witnesses or those with knowledge of the crime to assist in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
While the arrest of Lynch is a step forward in this particular case, it also serves as a stark reminder of the escalating carjacking incidents and juvenile crime rates in Washington, D.C. It underscores the urgent need for effective strategies to address these issues and ensure the safety and security of the community.