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Three Teenagers Arrested for Bethesda Carjacking

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Gaithersburg, MD – An 18, 16 and 15-year-old have been arrested following a strong-arm carjacking in Bethesda.

On Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at approximately 12:54 a.m. 2nd District officers responded to the 7700 block of Woodmont Ave., for the report of a carjacking.

The preliminary investigation by detectives revealed that the 72-year-old female victim was walking to her car when she was tackled from behind and taken to the ground by two unknown suspects. The suspects then demanded her car keys and personal property. Once the suspects obtained the victim’s property, they drove away in her 2023 Honda Fit. A lookout was placed for the vehicle.

Through the course of the investigation, officers located the Honda Fit at the intersection of Georgia Ave. and Seminary Rd. A traffic stop was conducted, and three suspects were taken into custody.

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division have charged all three suspects with carjacking, assault and robbery.

18-year-old Joseph Frank De-La-Paz, of Bethesda, was transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.

The 16-year-old was charged, as an adult, and transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.

At the time of this arrest, the16-year-old had an active arrest warrant for a carjacking that he allegedly committed on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, in Rockville.

The 15-year-old was transported to a juvenile detention center.

The 15-year-old has also been charged with an armed carjacking that occurred on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, in Wheaton.

Joseph Frank De-La-PazJoseph Frank De-La-Paz (Original Image)

 

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Release ID: 23-719
Media Contact: L.N.J.Ivey 
Categories: arrest , carjacking