Car thefts have been decreasing, but carjackings have been rising in some areas in our region. Only on 4, Mark Segraves reveals carjackings are up in D.C. and way up in Baltimore.
While car thefts have decreased significantly in D.C., the District has seen an equally significant increase in carjackings.
Car thefts dropped more than 11 percent in D.C. between 2014 and 2015, but carjackings went up by 10 percent in that same time period, according to data from the Metropolitan Police Department.
There were 134 carjackings in the District in 2014 and 148 in 2015. So far this year, police say there have been 86 carjackings in D.C.
"It strikes at our inner core," said AAA spokesman John Townsend. "But what's so disconcerting about this is, this is an invasion of our inner space and our inner sanctum and our psyche, our zone of security."
But carjackings are not as prevalent in D.C. as they are in Baltimore City, Townsend said.
Carjackings have decreased in Montgomery and Prince George's counties, however, carjackings in Baltimore City are on pace to double in 2016 compared to 2015 -- marking a six-year high.
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Virginia State Police do not track the number of carjackings in the Commonwealth.
For tips on how to avoid being carjacked and what to do if you are carjacked, visit the Metropolitan Police Department's website.
