Detectives released surveillance video of the suspects we are actively searching for who dragged and injured a patrol officer this morning in Lewisdale. The officer had just interrupted the criminals who were trying to steal their third vehicle in less than one hour. All of the targeted vehicles were started by their owners to warm up and then left unattended.
On the video, two vehicles pull up in front of a home on Hannon Street at approximately 5:45 am. The first vehicle was stolen yesterday in the Kentland area. The second vehicle had been stolen in a warm-up theft approximately 10 minutes prior to this video from outside of a home on nearby Drexel Street. One suspect gets out of the driver’s seat of the first vehicle, briefly talks to a second suspect, and then steals the car left running in the driveway. The victim called police and a description of the stolen car was broadcast to officers and detectives in the area. Several minutes later, a patrol officer spotted the group attempting to steal another unattended, running vehicle on 23rd Avenue. The officer approached the suspect in the driver’s seat and attempted to take him into custody. Instead of complying, the suspect accelerated and dragged the officer a short distance before fleeing the scene in the stolen vehicle. The officer suffered minor injuries.
We are again urging all residents to not leave their vehicles running and unattended. This is a crime of opportunity and against the law. We’ve received reports of 20 jump in thefts so far this year.
Anyone with information on these stolen vehicles or these investigations are asked to 301-516-3788. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), or go online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device.