WASHINGTON โ An FBI agent was carjacked Wednesday in Washington, D.C., a theft that comes amid a sharp increase in the number of carjackings in the nationโs capital.
Two people carried out the midafternoon armed carjacking, police said. The car was found about 30 minutes later about a mile away, Metropolitan Police said. The FBIโs Washington field office and the Metropolitan Police Departmentโs carjacking task force are investigating, the FBI said in a statement.
Carjackings in the nationโs capital have more than doubled this year, up 104%. Recent victims include a diplomat from the United Arab Emirates and U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas. He was carjacked near the Capitol in October by three armed assailants, who stole his car but didnโt physically harm him.
Earlier this month, Secret Service agents protecting President Joe Bidenโs granddaughter opened fire after three people tried to break into an unmarked Secret Service vehicle. No one was struck.
Violent crime in Washington has also been on the rise this year, up more than 40% compared with last year.