News Releases

Two Arrested in Ongoing Auto Theft Investigation

For Immediate Release: Thursday, August 15, 2024

Gaithersburg, MD – The Montgomery County Department of Police - Major Crimes Division, Auto Crime Enforcement Section (ACES), has made two arrests in connection with an ongoing investigation into multiple vehicle thefts in Montgomery County and surrounding areas.

On the morning of Tuesday, August 13, 2024, ACES officers located 19-year-old DeJuan Jenifer of Hyattsville and 20-year-old Makiya Donohue of Silver Spring. Jenifer was found sitting inside of a 2020 Kia Sportage with Florida tags, reported stolen from Washington, D.C. on August 12, 2024. Donohue was attempting to get into the car when ACES officers approached the vehicle.

As officers moved to apprehend the suspects, Jenifer tried to drive away by putting the car in reverse but crashed into an Amazon locker. Despite the attempt to escape, both Jenifer and Donohue were taken into custody without further incident.

Upon searching the vehicle, officers found a loaded .40 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun on the driver’s seat, where Jenifer had been sitting. The gun had one round in the chamber.

Jenifer has been charged with motor vehicle theft, felony possession of a firearm, illegal possession of a firearm, and other vehicle theft-related charges. Donohue faces charges of motor vehicle theft and other vehicle theft-related offenses.

Jenifer was previously arrested by MCPD on June 24, 2024, for auto theft-related charges and was out on bond. Donohue was also out on an unsecured bond, and both had outstanding arrest warrants related to several recent auto thefts.

They are being held without bond at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.

 

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Release ID: 24-370
Media Contact: S.D. Goff 
Categories: arrest