Carjackings are a growing problem across the country, according to the FBI

  • Carjackings are up 104% this year in Washington, D.C.
  • Carjackings are on the rise across the country, according to the FBI
  • 25,400 carjackings occurred nationwide in 2022, an 8.1% increase from the previous year
  • In Washington, D.C., 866 carjackings have been reported since the start of the year, a 104% increase compared to the same period in 2022
  • U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar was recently carjacked in Washington, D.C.
  • Criminologist Bruce Jacobs explains that carjackers prefer stealing occupied vehicles
  • Vehicle owners can take steps to protect themselves, such as staying alert, parking in safe spots, and locking their vehicles
  • Carjackings are more likely to occur at self-serve gas stations, carwashes, ATMs, highway ramps, and other locations where drivers slow down or stop
  • Carjackings account for a small portion of motor-vehicle thefts, with nearly a million vehicles stolen in 2022

Carjackings have seen a significant increase this year, particularly in Washington, D.C. According to the FBI, there were 25,400 carjackings nationwide in 2022, marking an 8.1% increase from the previous year. In Washington, D.C., 866 carjackings have been reported since the beginning of the year, representing a staggering 104% increase compared to the same period in 2022. Even U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar fell victim to a carjacking incident in the nation’s capital. Criminologist Bruce Jacobs explains that carjackers prefer stealing occupied vehicles due to the quick and low-risk nature of the crime. However, vehicle owners can take steps to protect themselves, such as staying alert, parking in safe spots, and locking their vehicles. Carjackings are more likely to occur at self-serve gas stations, carwashes, ATMs, highway ramps, and other locations where drivers slow down or stop. It’s important to note that while carjackings are a concerning issue, they account for only a small portion of motor-vehicle thefts, with nearly a million vehicles stolen in 2022. The cost of these thefts to Americans exceeds $8 billion annually, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides data from the FBI and local police departments to support the claim that carjackings are on the rise across the country. It also includes a quote from U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, who was a recent victim of carjacking. The article includes tips from experts on how to protect oneself from carjacking. However, the article does not provide any counterarguments or alternative perspectives on the rise in carjackings.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about the rise in carjackings across the country, including specific data from the FBI and local police departments. It also includes insights from a criminologist on the motivations behind carjackings. The article offers tips on how vehicle owners can protect themselves against carjackings. However, there is some filler content at the beginning of the article and the inclusion of unrelated information about overall motor-vehicle thefts and their cost to Americans.
Financial Relevance: No
Financial Markets Impacted: No
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Rating Justification: The article does not pertain to financial topics and does not describe an extreme event.
Key People: Henry Cuellar (U.S. Rep. (Democrat)), Bruce Jacobs (Criminologist)

Reported publicly: www.marketwatch.com