Baltimore City Ranks 2nd For Most Carjackings In U.S.: Safety Tips
Here are tips to avoid being targeted by thieves.
Last year, more than 1 million vehicles were stolen across the country. The top two cities in the nation for vehicle thefts are Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. But there are measures Maryland drivers can take to improve their safety.
According to a report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, a nonprofit organization that tracks crime and fraud, the District and Maryland each saw a considerable rise in thefts when compared to the previous year with increases of 64% and 63%, respectively. However, because police departments report carjackings and vehicle thefts differently from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, it's hard to gather concrete data.
"If you encounter a carjacker, surrender the vehicle without a fight. Carjacking is a serious and very dangerous situation. You can replace a car, but the life of every Maryland resident is precious," the Maryland State Police told Patch.
Stateline reported that the District of Columbia saw 72.1 carjackings in 2022 and 142.8 carjackings in 2023. Baltimore reported 126 carjackings in 2022 and 101.9 carjackings in 2023. The next highest number was in Memphis, Tennessee, with 68.8 carjackings experienced in 2022 and 58.3 carjackings in 2023.
Maryland State Police said carjackers look for drivers slowing down, stopping or getting into or out of their vehicle, which is why carjackings often occur in parking lots and garages, at stop lights and signs and by the side of the road.
Cristie Hopkins with the Harford County Sheriff's Office told Patch that in 2024, detectives investigated two carjackings and one in 2023.
"We recommend residents be aware of their surroundings, keep doors locked, don't flash valuables and travel in familiar areas," Hopkins said.
From January through July 2024, more than 200 carjackings were reported in Prince George's County, the police department there told Patch. Officials in that county reminded residents to choose safe parking locations, avoid sitting in a vehicle for extended periods of time, keep a cell phone within reach and report suspicious activity.
Sherry Llewellyn, director of public affairs for the Howard County Police Department, said there were 12 carjackings reported in the county in 2022, 13 in 2023 and so far, nine in 2024.
"Drivers can minimize the risk of carjackings by parking in well-lit areas and immediately locking doors upon entering the vehicle. It's also important to be aware of all surroundings, particularly when stopped at intersections and red lights. Drivers should never keep valuables visible in the car and always take keys or key fobs when they are away from the vehicle," Llewellyn told Patch.
Officials noted there’s been a nationwide rise in thefts involving 2011-2022 models of Hyundai and Kia vehicles. The vehicles are not equipped with immobilizing anti-theft devices, which has allowed thieves to easily steal them using household supplies such as cell phone charging cables.
Juveniles represented 34.7 percent of the arrests for vehicle theft in Maryland, according to the Maryland State Police.
The latest comprehensive carjacking data for Maryland was last compiled in 2022. The top 10 stolen vehicles in Maryland from that year were:
- Honda Accord
- Hyundai Elantra
- Hyundai Sonata
- Toyota Camry
- Honda Civic
- Nissan Altima
- Toyota Corolla
- Ford Pickup (full size)
- Kia Motors Corporation Optima
- Dodge Charger years 2013 2020 2015 2019 2018 2012 2015 2016 2006
Maryland State Police also reminds residents to follow three steps and reduce the risk of having their vehicle stolen:
- Step one: Lock your car and take your keys with you every time.
- Step two: Do not leave your car unlocked, running and unattended, even to warm up your vehicle or run into the store.
- Step three: Don't leave valuables in your car, such as cell phones, mail, garage door openers, wallets, computers or other valuables. These attract thieves.
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