Bicyclist Killed in Montgomery County Carjacking Incident; Suspects Arrested

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Montgomery County Police Make 13 Arrests in Stolen Vehicle Spree

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. – In a series of swift actions, law enforcement in Montgomery County apprehended 13 individuals on Monday in connection with multiple stolen or carjacked vehicles. These arrests come as part of an ongoing effort to combat auto theft in the area.

The incident unfolded around 12:30 p.m. on November 13 when an astute officer noticed two vehicles, a Nissan Sentra and a Honda Accord, in the vicinity of Georgia Ave. and Wayne Ave., both of which had been reported stolen in armed carjackings. Realizing the gravity of the situation, the officer decided to tail the Nissan while awaiting backup support.

However, the situation quickly escalated as the driver of the stolen Nissan attempted to evade capture, resulting in a high-speed pursuit. The chase came to a halt when the Nissan crashed into a tree near the intersection of Dennis Ave. and Douglas Ave. The immediate aftermath saw all five occupants, including the 18-year-old driver identified as Samuel Fikru, taken into custody. The remaining passengers were three 15-year-olds and a 16-year-old boy.

During a subsequent search of the vehicle, law enforcement officials discovered two BB guns and a knife, further heightening concerns regarding the intentions of those involved.

Meanwhile, the stolen Honda Accord was located near Bethesda Chevy Chase High School at around 2 p.m. A group of unidentified individuals abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene. Authorities managed to apprehend one 15-year-old girl, and as a precautionary measure, the high school briefly went into lockdown while officers conducted a thorough search for any remaining suspects.

In a separate incident, an off-duty Baltimore police officer alerted authorities after coming across a Kia Sedona with a broken window near Paint Branch High School. The Sedona had been reported stolen earlier that day. Responding promptly, police located the vehicle in the Calverton neighborhood and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. However, the driver of the stolen Kia Sedona resisted the efforts, resulting in a collision with another vehicle before eventually coming to a stop on Cherry Hill Road.

As the stolen Kia Sedona came to a halt, all five occupants, comprising three 16-year-olds, a 17-year-old, and the 14-year-old driver, immediately fled the scene. Despite their attempts to evade capture, law enforcement officers managed to apprehend two of the suspects. The remaining three individuals sought refuge in a nearby gray Infiniti, occupied by two other teenagers aged 15 and 16.

Unbeknownst to the fleeing suspects, the Infiniti returned to the Calverton neighborhood, where all five occupants exited the vehicle to observe the arrest of the initial two suspects. The vigilance of the police did not go unnoticed, as they promptly apprehended the five individuals, effectively bringing the entire operation to a halt.

In the wake of the arrests, Samuel Fikru, the 18-year-old driver of the stolen Nissan, is now facing charges of armed carjacking and motor vehicle theft-related offenses. He is currently being held without bond at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.

The juvenile occupants of the Nissan are facing charges related to auto theft, obstructing and hindering, and malicious destruction of property. Similarly, the juveniles linked to the stolen Kia Sedona are charged with motor vehicle unlawful taking and related offenses. The 15 and 16-year-olds who were in the Infiniti are facing charges of conspiracy to commit motor vehicle theft, obstructing and hindering, and other conspiracy-related offenses.

It is worth noting that the 15-year-old girl found in the stolen Honda Accord was not charged and was safely released into the custody of her parents.

All juvenile suspects were transported to Montgomery County police stations and subsequently released to their parents.

Law enforcement agencies in Montgomery County remain committed to tackling auto theft and will continue to take proactive measures to ensure the safety and security of the community..