Warning: Carjackings Spike in Seattle Area
Police departments in and around Seattle are sounding the alarm after a series of carjackings following a similar pattern. The Renton Police Department, just south of Seattle, issued a warning to residents about a rise in staged accidents that end in carjackings.
According to Renton Police Detective Robert Onishi, incidents like these pop up every year or two. Criminals use deceptive tactics to make drivers stop, only to rob them at gunpoint.
Recent Carjacking Incident
Last week, a troubling incident occurred when a driver tried to leave a local Walmart. Another vehicle rear-ended the driver’s car. Concerned for the two juveniles in the back seat, the driver got out to check on them. However, three individuals from the rear-ending car approached. One pointed a gun at the juveniles, while another aimed a gun at the driver, ordering him out of the vehicle. Fortunately, the victims managed to escape as the suspects sped away.
Detective Onishi clarified that state law requires drivers to exchange information after a collision. However, it doesn’t specify that this must happen in an unsafe location. If you find yourself in an accident in a shady or suspicious area, you can fulfill your obligation by driving to a well-lit, populated place, perhaps a police station. Dial 911 to report the incident and express your concern.
Similar Incidents in Seattle
Similar occurrences unfolded in Seattle, where two more drivers were rear-ended and then carjacked at gunpoint as they exited their vehicles to talk to the other driver.
Thankfully, in all these incidents, the occupants of the targeted vehicles remained unharmed.
August Incident in Maple Valley
In August, a parallel incident occurred in Maple Valley, south of Renton. A woman was rear-ended and then ambushed by a group of five suspects who carjacked her. This led to a police chase that tragically ended in the deaths of two passengers when the stolen vehicle collided with a tree.
The Seattle Police Department has noted that it’s not yet confirmed whether the Seattle incidents and the Renton carjacking are connected. Nevertheless, they acknowledge the shared characteristics in the modus operandi.
The suspect vehicle in all these cases was described as a dark sedan.
Neither the Seattle nor the Renton police departments have responded to requests for comment from Fox News. Stay vigilant and safe on the roads.